Question Number: 28772

League Specific 9/22/2014

RE: Competive Adult

Jimmy of Houston, Texas US asks...

A shot taken on goal is blocked by a defending player inside his own team's penalty area. The defending player then starts to dribble the ball while having full control of it. Before the defender dribbled the ball out of the penalty area, the goalkeeper picked up the ball dribbled by the defender (his teammate). Should the Referee stop the play and award an Indirect Free Kick to the opposing team?

The question is from SoccerRefereeUSA and the answere is 'NO'. I just want to make sure the answere is correct.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

You are thinking this was a deliberately kicked ball by a teammate to the keeper? USSF likes to reiterate the deliberate kick to a place where the keeper can use his hands is the same as if the ball was kicked directly to him so I am surprised at their answer ?
It is likely they are thinking this was a keeper acting on instinct to gather in a save and this was not a deliberate kick to the keeper ? I do tend agree with the NO answer, it would be harsh to find this as an INFK offence even if the lotg could support it as an indfk. In my opinion only, because it is obvious the defender was not kicking it deliberately to the keeper. In keeping with the spirit of this law and the fact no opponents were denied access I see no reason to we must consider it as a deliberate kick to the keeper but then others might! If there were attackers in play or if the defender uses his feet and then shielded it, then the picture becomes more iffy. Again surprised at the solid no answer, room for doubt there..
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jimmy
Its not a black and white answer.
A defender deliberately leaving the ball during a dribble to allow his team mate goalkeeper to pick up the ball is a deliberate kick and it should be penalised by an IDFK.
If however the goalkeeper dives on the ball as part of a save / scramble while a team mate is dribbling the ball that could be ignored as no offence.