Question Number: 28493

Kicks From The Penalty mark 6/12/2014

RE: Competitive Under 19

Tim Scott of Ames, Ia United States asks...

Was watching a local league game when the following situation happened:

First half the starting goal keeper for team A injured his shoulder and was removed for the remainder of the game. Game went to kicks from the mark to decide the winner after extra time. Team A missed their first kick and made the next 4. Team B had made the first 4 and was kicking for the win. As the player was entering the 18 yard box to receive the ball, and all other 20 players who were on the field at the end of extra time were in the center circle, the starting goalie for team A came running onto the field to shake the kick takers had to wish him good luck before he shot. The kick taker then attempted the shot and missed - clearly the goalie had interfered with the shooter. What is the appropriate response to the goalie running onto the field, and for the response to the missed kick?

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tim
As the goalkeeper was, I assume, substituted he could no longer take part in the game. While the game is in progress the substituted player may not enter the field of play. If he does so he is cautioned for unsporting behaviour and asked to leave the field of play. While on the field of play illegally if he commits any other cautionable offence he is dismissed for a 2nd caution.
In this case the substituted goalkeeper could have been cautioned. As the kicker missed the penalty kick no action can be taken there as the incident happened before the signal was given for the kick.
If it was gamesmanship then unfortunately the kicker had allowed that to influence him. Unless the USB action happened between the whistle to take the penalty kick and the kick itself there is nothing the referee could do by way of a retake unless of course the goalkeeper infringed the Laws through encroachment. I would certainly have adopted zero tolerance on that in this case.
It is a matter for the player to compose himself or for that matter the team could change the kicker should it chose to do so. If say a player came running towards the kicker to shout loudly 'MISS IT' after the whistle, then if missed, the kick will be retaken and the player cautioned.
I would certainly report this matter to the competition organisers who could suspend the player for his actions.
This is just simple unsporting and gamesmanship and done in a poor spirit. It is IMO a hollow victory achieved through unsporting means.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No one except the kickers should be on the field of play during the kicks from the penalty marks phase. The keeper should be cautioned (for unsporting behavior) and removed.

While the referee should give the kicker time to refocus after the keeper's actions, IMO, the result of the kick would stand (assuming that the keeper's actions occurred before the referee whistled for the kick). Otherwise, the kicker might still be 'bothered' by the experience for the next six errant kicks.