Question Number: 30348

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/26/2016

RE: Rec College

Imran Senlik of champaign, il USA asks...

Dear Mr. Refs,
There was a play in our Intramural soccer game, follows the NFHS rules. The play was a through ball from midfield to the edge of the PK box, the forward took a touch which brought the ball into the PK box. At this point our defender slide tackled with his cleats showing and got the ball clean and through, the offensive player was a little slower and he ended up tripping over the body of our defender a moment after the tackle. Should this have been a PK or an indirect kick?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the foul was called, it would be for an illegal tackle. That's a direct free kick offense, so inside the penalty area it would be a penalty kick.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Imran
If I had a dollar for every time I heard cleats up even when there is no foul I would have a nice tidy sum!!
Now cleats up is certainly dangerous in certain situations and the referee has to make a judgement call in each situation.
Now in your example the referee could judge that there was no immediate foul, the ball was clearly played with no contact on the opponent so it is play on.
The referee could also determine that the tacklers actions were reckless in the tackle which is a penalty kick and a caution.
The referee could also determine that it was playing in a dangerous manner and award an indirect free kick.
Now the part that is not a foul is the fall of the player over the tackler. That happens all the time. So there is either a foul at the point of the tackle or there is none.
From your description it is difficult to make a call. I would say that a clean play of the ball with no contact inside the penalty area perhaps side on that no call might be made.