Question Number: 31058

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/27/2016

RE: Under 14

Mark Neale of Leicester, United Kingdom asks...

if a defender takes the goal kick to the goalkeeper whom is outside the penalty area and dribbles it back into the box can they (goalkeeper)pick the ball up.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mark
That is not possible as the ball has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper. It makes no difference if the kick is in open play or from a restart. A free kick to the goalkeeper would have the same no handling restriction. Direction of the deliberate kick is also irrelevant and the misnomer of back pass is unhelpful. A forward deliberate kick to the goalkeeper is also punished should the GK handle the ball inside his penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mark,
well the LOTG say NO, as the ball was delivered to the keeper directly by a deliberate kick from a team mate. The keeper was fine accepting the ball, fine to dribble it outside the PA , fine to dribble it back inside the PA but oops an INDFK from where he used the hands on the ball inside his PA, incorrectly thinking he could pick it up with his hands. If it was within the 6 yard goal area then the ball is pulled straight back onto the 6 yard goal area line parallel to the goal line for restart purposes.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Mark,
No this would not be allowed. A goalkeeper may not pick up a ball that was deliberately kicked to them by a team mate. I remember when playing as a goalkeeper in the 1960's - 80's, before the law was changed, this used to be a fairly common tactic if there were no forwards in the vicinity. However this has not been legal since the law was changed in 1992.