Question Number: 29984

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/9/2015

RE: pro

Chris Johnston of Montreal , Canada asks...

Hey refs long time fan of the site, I wanted to get your thoughts. Why was this ref not concerned with the keeper digging up the pitch?




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-rLYlHcuN0


thanks

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Chris,
hard to say given we were not there to know if anything was said or not. It is certainly within the LOTG to caution show the yellow card for such an action. It seems it proved effective given the miss . Whether it is possible there could be additional action taken by FIFA it seems as if the referee was aware so it is something he had seen but choose not to act on not something unseen?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Chris
I suspect the referee was not aware of this as there was so much going on at the penalty kick. Under the Laws of the Game the referee should have cautioned the goalkeeper for unsporting behaviour. The relevant Law is ** If a player makes unauthorised marks on the field of play with his foot, he must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour**. The restart however would still be a penalty kick. The referee could ask for any damage to be repaired before the kick is taken although I suspect the player would just want to get on with the kick.
For what it is worth I dont believe that the damage should have caused the miss. I have seen much worse damage on newly laid turf and no effect or at least the kickers did not allow it to effect. This was simply a poor penalty kick. The goalkeeper though, as an another example of unsporting behaviour, has brought dishonour on himself and his club. Again no show of respect for opponents or Fair Play from a professional player.