Question Number: 31146

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/2/2017

RE: Adult

Jim Raab of Sunbury, Ohio United States asks...

Player A25 deliberately punches his own goalkeeper in their Penalty Area, while the ball is being played near midfield. The referee stops play. What is the correct restart?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Jim,
The restart should be a penalty kick. As specified in the Laws of the Game 2016-17 on page 88:

''Restart of play after fouls and misconduct [...]
If the ball is in play and a player commits an offence inside the field of play against: [...]
• a team-mate, substitute, substituted player, team official or a match official – a direct free kick or penalty kick

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jim
Thanks for this important question. This is one of the significant changes that was made in the recent update of the Laws. Heretofore it was an IDFK whereas now since June the restart is a penalty kick after A25 is dismissed for violent conduct.
The explanation is that the punishment for an offence against another participant reflects the seriousness of such an action e.g. football sends out a weak/poor message if the restart is only an indirect free kick. VC against a participant is now a direct free kick or penalty kick.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Jim,,
the new LOTG have addressed this type of behavior with greater accountability and dire repercussions for the team or player responsible! The violent misconduct is a send off show the red card with a DFK thus a PK awarded to the other team. A BIG DEAL and the stupidity of such an action leaves a lasting impression! Not only handing the opposition a scoring opportunity but reducing the number of his teams players on the field for the rest of the match.
Cheers