Question Number: 30008

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/2/2016

RE: Competitive Under 17

Edy of Houston, Texas USA asks...

An attacker fairly charges a defender,but neither player is within playing distance of the ball. The reffere should do what?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Edy
That is an illegal charge punished by a direct free kick from where the offence took place. Is it called very often? No as if the charge is executed in the normal fair manner it can be seen as jostling with perhaps little impact on play. The charges that are always punished are the ones to the back and chest areas.
As an aside the former ATRs had this as an indirect free kick offence which was a legacy of former laws.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ed,
technically you cannot fairly charge an opponent if the ball is not playable. This is a foul of charging or holding, pushing etc... If the force used is considerable and the points of contact are transparently illegal a referee will call the foul as a DFK with cards as an option!

It is conceivable that two opposing players are in pursuit of the ball or seeking to run into an attacking position and the other a defending one as such they clash in what could be construed as equal 50/50 contact where both are guilty of a simultaneous foul that gets rejected as trifling or doubtful by the referee.
To be impeded which is an INDFK offence there should be no physical or very minor contact . Impeding is a infraction we rarely see called correctly anymore!
Cheers