Question Number: 31145

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/2/2017

RE: Competitive Under 12

George of Parangarecutirimicuaro, CA Sacratomato asks...

In the final between America and Tigres of the Mexican league, during KFTM, the Tigres GK kept approaching America players while they were setting up for the kick and saying things into their ear. GK did the same thing with the first 3 kickers and all three kicks resulted in saves/misses.
In some of the leagues I referee, many players emulate what they see on TV. How do we approach this in the younger leagues if it were to happen?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi George
This is called sledging and unfortunately it has become more prevalent in recent years. My advice is to give clear instructions to both goalkeepers before the kicks begin. Tell them both that once it is their turn to go into goal that you expect them to line up on the line without delay and not to engage in any unsporting conduct. You also expect the goalkeepers not to encroach until the ball is kicked and not to delay the kicks
I might warn the goalkeeper on the first attempt of any shenanigans and a repeat is a caution.
I recall Referee Cuneyt Cakir booking Joe Hart of England for this type of behaviour in the semi final of the 2009 UEFA U21 championship. Hart missed the final as a result of that second yellow.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi George,
no referee wants the distinction of being overly anal and cautioning for every stupid thing a player does. We would wear out the yellow cards or our arms would get sore lifting it up and down. The USB antics of keepers in gamesmanship ploys to disrupt the mindsets of the PK shooters Be it jumping around pointing and mouthing off we generally point to the goal line and suggest he get there or face a needless yellow card through his stupid crap! I tend to mirror my counterpart REF MCHugh with a firm no nonsense command to be on the goal line when their turn comes as we start KFTPM. That is nothing wrong with a little bit of showmanship and bravado. It IS an emotional game after all.
Cheers Happy New Year

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi George,
As your example and the one given by ref McHugh show, this is starting to become more common. However, so far I have only noticed it in adult/higher level games. At youth level fortunately, I have yet to see it but if it were to happen, I would probably warn the keeper (or whoever was indulging in unsporting behaviour) first before cautioning if the behaviour continued.

It would also depend on just how egregious the behaviour was. There is nearly always a certain element of 'mind games' going on at KFTPM so I would need to be convinced this was really going beyond the ordinary (and it would have to continue after an initial warning) before starting to produce the cards.