Question Number: 28823

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/6/2014

RE: ex referee Adult

glenn brown of grays, essex United Kingdom asks...

goal keeper has been fouled in area striker is more then 10 yards away goalie plays ball the striker runs in and scores is it a goal or would he have to wait for it to come out of area

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Glenn,

On any restart in the penalty area (goal kick or free kick) the ball must leave the box before it is in play. If the attacker contacted the ball before it left the box, then the referee should blow his whistle and restart with the goal kick or free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Glenn
It makes no difference that the attacker was more than 10 yards away from the free kick if the ball has not left the penalty area. The ball is not in play until it leaves the penalty area. If it does not then the referee stops play and the kick is retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Glenn,
if the keeper is taking a free kick be it indfk or a dfk, awarded because he was fouled in his PA, that ball must leave the PA into the field of play before anyone including his teammates can play the ball.
PLUS all opponents must be completely outside the penalty area as well as ten yards away.
UNLESS the keeper tried to take the kick quickly, the referee might allow it, but the ball must still clear the penalty area to be in play! If the ball was to hit or be intercepted by an opponent inside the PA, the kick would be retaken. If the opponent ran into the penalty area ahead of the ball exiting to play the ball, or cut through the area to chase the ball, the kick could be retaken! IF he actually touched the ball, it would be retaken The opponent warned, if not cautioned for delaying the restart.
Cheers