Question Number: 30074

Law 13 - Free Kicks 2/3/2016

RE: Any Other

Derek of Cary, IL USA asks...

Some scenarios, please tell me what the correct restart would be.

1. Referee stops play for an IFK offense. The referee does not put his hand up to signal indirect. The ball enters the defending team's goal directly.

2. Referee stops play for an IFK offense. After the ball has been touched twice, the referee forgets to put his hand down. After the fourth touch of the ball, the ball enters the defending team's goal. The referee still has his hand up.

3. Referee stops play for a DFK offense. The referee accidentally puts his hand up like he would signal for an IFK. The ball is kicked directly into the defending team's goal.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

(1)The referee has created a protestable situation which must be rectified as a retake.

An indirect free kick must be retaken if the referee fails to raise his arm to
indicate that the kick is indirect and the ball is kicked directly into the goal. The
initial indirect free kick is not nullified by the referee's mistake.

(2) The referee must need an armpit airing as this has no impact except if the referee did not see or recognize the other touches. The goal would stand if the CR was agreed at least two touches occurred i.e.AR /4th input.

(3) referee having a rough day here but the free kick is direct and it directly entered the goal so the parameters are met for a goal but go ahead and protest claiming the CR indicated it was INDFK and that was the reason the keeper made no attempt to save it. This might have greater impact if he announced verbally it was an INDFK.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Derek
1. The only possible decision is a retake.
2. Once there is a second touch the ball is in play and the goal is good. It makes no difference that the arm remained raised as that only referred to the first touch.
3. Only possible decision here is if the referee clearly raised his arm for an IDFK is a retake as a direct free kick.