Question Number: 30387

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/5/2016

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30384

I have a follow-up question. Suppose that two attacking players are close, but no defenders are.
2 scenarios:
1) In the box, A1 makes a dive & lowers his head to about knee level just as A2 is about to kick it.

2) A1 makes a bicycle kick, just as A2 is about to head the ball (which is at about head height). [I actually saw this happen recently where A2 was kicked in the head.]

Since PIADM can be a danger to anyone, would both of these be an indirect kick for the opposing team AND a denial of a goal, if it were scored?

Thanks again,

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
In FIFA games where applicable, fouls are limited to acts committed against an opponent. For example, a player striking the referee or a teammate is not a foul, but is misconduct.
Now a PIADM foul cannot be committed against a team mate just an opponent so in your examples there are no offences or sanctions. The referee allows play to continue. If an opponent was present it is then ITOOTR as to whether there is a possible foul or a head injury stoppage.
Now there is a different answer in NFHS games as PIADM can be committed against a team mate. In that code the restart is an indirect free kick. So technically a goal can be chalked off and the restart is an IDFK to the defending team. I guess safety is the key determinant in that ruling. I am not sure if it is ever called in a goal situation. The scoring team can always argue that there was no danger among its players whereas an opponent will always argue that there is an offence.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Phil,

As Ref McHugh states, a foul needs an opponent to be involved under the LOTG. In both scenarios, while the same element of danger may be applied, without an opponent in the picture the referee cannot award a free kick nor caution the player for the act.
Thus, there would be no denial of a goal as no offence has been committed.
I can see why it may seem a little strange, but just appreciate the fact that this is one incident where we don't need to intervene!
Of course, if there's an injury you can stop play and restart with a drop ball.