Question Number: 30881

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/10/2016

RE: Select Under 16

Mike Spivy of Brush Prairie, WA USA asks...

A ball was intentionally kicked back to the goalie while a player from the opposing team races to cut that pass off. Both the opposing player and the ball get to the goalie at about the same time. The opposing player certainly attempts to kick the ball away from the keeper and the two players collided just slightly. It's not 100% clear if the player did or didn't get a foot on the ball, but the goalie then immediately jumped onto the loose ball and picked it up. The referee blew his whistle and awarded an IFK at the top of the 18 yard box. My question is if the opposing player DID get a foot on the ball is the 'back pass' to the goalie 'waived off' and the goalie was free to pick the ball up or does there have to be some element of 'controlling the ball' vs. simply getting a foot on it by the opposing player, etc.?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Once an opponent touches the deliberate kick to the goalkeeper by a team mate then that negates the deliberate kick and the goalkeeper is free to then use his hands inside the penalty area. It makes no difference the type of touch which can be inadvertent. Should the goalkeeper kick the ball off the opponent that also negate the deliberate kick and the rebound can be touched by the hand/s.
In this situation the referee would need to be certain that there was no contact whatsoever by the opponent on the ball to call the IDFK.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Mike, if the last touch on the ball before it reaches the keeper was by an opponent, no matter what the manner of the touch, then it does not meet the criteria required for this to be an offence.