Question Number: 30133

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/22/2016

RE: Rec Adult

Brian of Toronto, ON Canada asks...

I have awarded a free-kick when I see a defender punch an attacker in the penalty box. I give the defender a Red Card.
Do I now award a penalty, or stick with the free- kick

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brian
As the sending off offence happened inside the penalty area it is a penalty kick restart. The only free kick that can be awarded inside the penalty area to the attacking team is an indirect one which is for technical offences such as playing in a dangerous manner, the goalkeeper handling a deliberate pass from a team mate etc.
Punching an opponent is a serious penal offence which is always punished by a sending off and a direct free kick or a penalty kick restart when it occurs inside the penalty area when the ball is in play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Brian,
good for you in recognizing the punching action by the defender is VC not SFP it is a striking foul and the only restart is a DFK if you have not yet ended play?. As you know from your training classes any DFK offence against the defenders that occurs INSIDE their own PA is upgraded to PK status. I have to wonder why are you asking, was the punching action taken while straddling the PA so you are not sure if the strike landed inside or outside??
Can I assume you awarded a a free kick for something else ,INDFK or DFK in perhaps favor of the defense? Had you stopped play? Had a whistle sounded? Which team was the original free kick in favour of? If your whistle had NOT yet gone and the first free kick incident was for the attackers you might be able to apply advantage for the Pk result.
If the offence was in favor of the defense then the action is VC you send off show the red card reduce the defenders by a player and play restarts accordingly. Same if your whistle sounded to stop play for an attacking restart and then the defender struck his VC blow. Any misconduct that occurs during a stoppage does NOT change that restart .
Cheers
ps thanks to Barry for assist

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

See Question: 30138