Question Number: 30808

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/24/2016

RE: Competitive Under 15

Piero Dallarda of Riverside, California United States asks...

What is the appropriate call when a defender kicks the goal back to the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper picks it up with his hands denying a forward from the other team the opportunity to score?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Piero,
Law 12 specifically states that the goalkeeper cannot be cautioned or sent off for any handling related misconduct inside his own PA. So in that scenario, it doesn't matter what the impact upon the opposing team was - if it's inside the PA it can only be an IFK.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Piero
As Referee Wright rightly points out it is an indirect free kick ONLY with no card shown. The law is explicit on that and the reason is that the law was introduced to prevent the ball from being repeatedly kicked to the goalkeeper so that time was used up with the ball bring withheld from challenge in the GKs possession. The law makers do not want to prevent the goalkeeper from doing his role which is to use his hands inside the penalty area to prevent goals and make saves with his hands no matter who kicks the ball. Hence ugly us an IDFK only.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Hi Piero,
the correct call, if the defender deliberately kicks the ball to his keeper and the keeper unwisely chooses to use his hands to stop, catch or redirect the ball away rather than kick or use a body part to knock the ball away, if inside the keeper's own PA is to look to see if there is any advantage on a mishandle allowing the striker to score and if there is none to whistle play dead, award an indfk from the point of the illegal handling subject to the special circumstances within the goal area . The keeper CAN NOT be sent off for denying a goal or obvious opportunity by the illegal use of his hands INSIDE his own 18 yard penalty area (which includes the 6 yard goal area) No card is required of any colour.
from our pitch to your pitch in the spirit of fair play