Question Number: 30134

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/22/2016

RE: Under 17

mahadev of Thane, maharashtra india asks...

is taking our leg above the opponent players belly a foul while attempting a ball?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mahadev
Raising a boot high in its own right is not a foul. It is only a foul when it makes high contact with an opponent or is dangerous towards an opponent . Examples include jumping at an opponent with the boot high in the air. The opponent may then for fear of that danger pull back from playing the ball. That is playing in a dangerous manner which has an indirect free kick restart. If the player was to make contact with an opponent with a high boot that is a direct free kick or penalty offence. Also every chance that it is reckless which is a caution or if it endangered the safety of an opponent with excessive fierce it is a red card.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mahadev,
if you use the videos below you might think Not?? WOWZA! is all I can say !

Simply playing a loose ball with a high leg is NOT an offence!
HOWEVER< a straight legged studs out is a horrible challenge if any player is nearby, at minimum PIADM an INDFK with possible yellow and when or if contact occurs it translates to DFK and most likely a red card for SFP or VC. The leg does not have to be raised above the belly simply directed into the player at any height!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GEB-TYLMmQ
John Terry dives in as defender tries to clear
There will occasionally be a high kick where a defender trying to clear a ball and a striker will bend down into it to make it his fault for PIADM and the head foot contact unavoidable



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wShKHH0tBQ

Here a player drives his studs into the chest of DROGBA referee misses it then cautions Drobga for simulation


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtiZh7cPXyk

De Jong Karate Kick to the Chest Xabi Alonso World Cup 2010 Spain vs. Netherlands
referee MISSED this sigh. awarded a yellow but only guessed at why THIS MUST BE RED there is no other option


Khaled Boulahrouz kicks Ronaldo in his thigh in an obvious attempt to put him out of the match again this is a RED CARD sigh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIYHDU2b7DM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M19a2A3Hbvo

New Zealand qualifies for WC how this went with NO PK NO red card is a mystery to me! Shane Smeltz for New Zealand takes studs to face in an incident which the ref didn't even issue a card or penalty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydX0F5JWmOc

does it matter surely you get the reason why this type of tackle CANNOT be permitted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_st29mlQwU
at least ref got it right!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmn17ALxwxM

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

See Question: 30140