Question Number: 30075

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/3/2016

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This is old, but I've been meaning to ask it.

I was wondering what all of you thought about the yellow card & penalty kick in the 2015 World Cup game between Japan & Switzerland.

The incident in question is at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPI3MR6kj6U

To me it looked like a 50-50 ball. Both were running toward each other (to the ball) & both jumped in the air. The Japanese attacker got to the ball a fraction of a second first & kicked the ball, while both she & the Swiss GK were in the air. The GK actually blocked the ball with her hand while in the air. Then they had a horrible collision.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil
Her Match Her Decision Her Reputation!
Arm chair decision not so much
Angle of view, reasonable attempt to challenge, ball flight, intersecting angles of pursuit, line of sight h
Hard to argue her foot and hips were square into the mid section but while it might be seen as a legit save by another the keeper was not there first and take note little dissent was displayed..
lol


Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
I would be off the opinion that it was the correct decision. When the goalkeeper launched at the ball and failing to make contact first that follow through is going to be as reckless which is a foul and a caution. Had she played the ball first there would have been less pressure to award the free kick albeit still possible. I recall the challenge by the German goalkeeper Neuer on Higuain Argentina in the WC which was not got given. I still believe it was a clear reckless challenge even if he got the ball. Now the lesson here for players is that if the commit to a challenge and do so in a reckless manner it can and should end up as a foul even if the ball is played.