Question Number: 31221

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/2/2017

RE: Middle School Under 14

Tim of Jacksonville, FL United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 31219

Thank you for the responses. Personally, I think the ball was inside the box as well, but the referee was looking for a reason not to give us a penalty kick since it was on the edge of the box and it hadn't developed into clear goal scoring opportunity......yet. The foul clearly occurred about 6 inches to 1 foot inside the box. There were even divots in the grass from my player. When I pointed this out the official she clearly said, 'He was in the box, but the ball was not. It doesn't matter where the player is, just where the ball is.' She said it multiple times as I continued to....politely object.

We were able to play it and win the game, I'm jut concerned this referee will make the same call in a situation where it is more vital to the outcome.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

.HI Tim,
those who officiate at whatever level do make mistakes. I like to think they are not intentional but wrong is wrong. Although it is possible he simply misspoke or you misheard. A lot of perceived point of views abound in football blurring what real truth there is. lol In this case a letter to the association referee director or assignor and make this information available so they can monitor and address the problem to improve the referee's understanding of the game. No need for them to get edgy, you are not screaming obscenities at a bad decision, just passing some credible information along to help improve the officiating.

The BALL itself MUST be COMPLETELY OUTSIDE the PA (that includes the boundary line for a defender not to be guilty of a PK for handles the ball deliberately. That causes issues when the ball is on the boundary line and a player deliberately handles the portion of the ball outside the boundary line. Technically it is a PK as the ball is inside the PA. Here I have seen referees go with a DFK outside but the LOTG state it s a Pk. BY the SAME standard the keeper COULD legally handle that SAME ball! Includes reaching out across the Boundary line and hauling it all back into the PA! lol

The previous question 31220 speaks to your idea about whether the referee felt pressured into not wanting to affect the game and adjusting the call although in fact it crucially affects the game. Common sense is not that common
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tim
If I had a Euro for every penalty debate I would have a nice tidy sum of money. Debate can be around location of the offence to whether there was a foul in the first place.
On the penalty area line is always a tough call and six inches to a foot is a very tight margin.
The concerning piece is the referees explanation of the players position not mattering although I still cannot square a challenge for the ball which is outside the area and the player is inside? It sounds like saying something without thinking it through as to how it comes across. If the challenge for the ball was outside then the referee will have determined that the foul contact was also outside. Also divots mean nothing. Marks can happen at any time in the challenge including after the contact.
Anyway the wording used as described is erroneous and can be brought to the attention of the referee assignor or observer in the area.