Question Number: 30464

Kicks From The Penalty mark 5/29/2016

RE: Adult

Dennis Mirren of Glasgow, Lanarkshireg United Kingdom asks...

When a match goes to a penalty shootout the team that chose which end to take penalties am I right that other team takes 1st penalty.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Denis
That is about to change. The referee will now toss a coin to decide which end provided there is no reasoning why either should be excluded and the referee then tosses a coin to decide who goes first or second. The winner of that coin toss has the choice.
Previously the referee decided which goal to use which in some games was an onerous decision.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Dennis,
the illustrious leaders of the soccer world have decided the referee as a neutral official should use a coin toss (under the view of the two teams) to decide which end will be used for the KFTPM unless the condition of the pk spot is easily identifiable as unsuitable so as not to put the KFTPM at the end of where more supporters might be gathered. Then the teams themselves take a new coin toss where the winner of that toss have a choice to shoot first or go second?