Question Number: 29914

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/12/2015

RE: Rec Adult

Alain D of Victoria, BC Canada asks...

Team A takes a quick free kick. A player from Team B comes from behind at a lightning speed, which surprised everybody including me, and intercepts the pass at about 2-3 yards from where the ball was at the kick. I let the play continue because it was a quick free kick. Is this the correct decision?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alain
I doubt that this was the correct decision here. While the opponent has come from behind the ball he has IMO nonetheless moved towards the ball which is interference rather than an interception. The correct decision was to restart play with the free kick and depending on your opinion caution the opponent for failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in. The reason I say this is that perhaps the player was moving to another position and he was not intending on moving towards the ball although that is what he actually did.
Here is a good video to assist you in these restart situations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FruNJijCZd0
It can also be downloaded from here
https://ussoccer.app.box.com/s/ruqcsf0671k1bcf6dzwf/1/386040925/3334071442/1

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Alain,
lightening speed is indeed fast lol If the player was moving away from the restart point and he managed to do as you suggest... after... the ball was kicked to quickly turn towards the ball and intercept that is fine. However this sounds as if the opponent was closing down the space towards the restart ahead of he ball being put in play. In which case retake, show the yellow card cautioning him for failing to respect the distance


The entitlement of a free kick is it be FREE of opposition interference in that a MINIMUM of ten yards in ALL directions is maintained or at least in the process of being respected . To be 12 yds. away behind the ball nearer the attackers' goal but then to run towards the restart point then to go 10 yds past it into your defending area means you travelled 22 yds to do so. The moment you were within 10yds then went closer to the restart point you are NO LONGER respecting the distance. These circuitous routes are designed solely to irritate and halt the attackers from getting on with play under the guise of we were just trying to get back. Bloody garbage when the WHOLE purpose of fouling is designed to stop the attack. The FREE kick is the counter measure and yet we allow extra time for the team that cheated to get back and defend because they conveniently take a path close to the restart point while ahem withdrawing ?

10 yds in all direction or in the process of moving away per normal speed of play is a MANDITORY OBLIGATION on the part of the defenders to respect the LOTG and respect the ten yard distance. We cut might cut SOME slack at 8 to 9 yds out ,we cut some slack if knocked down and getting back to your feet but NO slack to those who defenders who deliberately come CLOSER to the restart point be it from ANY direction!

A simple announcement by the referee! TEN yards NOW! gentlemen is NOT in my opinion, a precursor to a ceremonial restart just a gentle reminder there could be a price to pay for circumventing the spirit of a free kick and slowing the restart of play or not respecting the distance, both cautionable actions.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Alain,

If he is within 10 yards at the time the ball is kicked and is moving towards the ball at that time, then he has committed an offence.

There's a concept that taking a quick free kick implies the attacking team are accepting the position of the defenders (assuming they haven't run up to stand in front of the ball). But, that doesn't mean the defence can abuse this by preventing the kick being taken. My rule of thumb is that movement towards the ball/kicker before the kick is an offence as it's refusing the respect 10 yards. Any movement made after, is fair play as the attacking team accepted the position of the defenders (ie accepting the position still doesn't entitle them to block the kick).

So, if he started his run after the kick, it's a fair interception. Before? It's a caution and a retake.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 29916