Question Number: 28797

Law 13 - Free Kicks 9/29/2014

RE: Adult

Stephen of Belfast, Northern Ireland asks...

Can a free kick be given inside the penalty area to attacking team

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. An indirect free kick foul results in an IFK to the attacking team. A direct free kick foul by the defending team results in a penalty kick.

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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Stephen
Yes. An IDFK can be awarded which is now a pretty rare offence. Typically it would now be for the goalkeeper touching the ball with his hands inside the penalty area on a deliberate kick to him by a team mate or a player say raising his boot close to an attackers head without making contact which is playing in a dangerous manner.
Older players will recall the old obstruction rule which resulted in many IDFKs inside the penalty area. That no longer exists and the two offence that I mentioned don't happen very often.

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Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Stephen,

There are two types of free kicks:

-Direct
-Indirect

A direct free kick for the attacking team in the penalty area always results in a penalty kick. It is possible though to have an indirect free kick (IFK) inside the penalty area say for a pass back or impeding.

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