Question Number: 31366

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/19/2017

RE: Rec Adult

russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

Keeper brain fade ends in red, however, is there a careless IFK foul by the attacker.

No question the keeper should see red for his actions, however, is there a case to say the attacker's actions " whether deliberate or not " were a hinderance to the keeper being able to potentially release the ball early.

We give DFK's for unintentional yet still careless tackles and challenges.

Even if we consider the attacker stumbled resulting in his arms in some form grabbing the keeper, is there any argument to say there was an IFK first by the attacker, then, the elbow by the keepers, and as such, the restart is the IDF out.

Guess what I'm seeking clarity on is, irrespective if it was an IFK or not - for the debate, lets say it was, would the restart be the IFK to the defending them, as the elbow was after the IFK.

Or, as we are advised to punish the more serious foul, is that the case in this instance (if we agree there was an IFK for the sake of the debate).

http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/901435971983/Theos-inexplicable-brain-explosion-hands-Adelaide-victory

As an aside, we really need to get to a place where the Referee does not need to be walking backwards in these moments. Other codes manage to make it clear that you cannot attempt to boss the officials.
And on that note, certainly the EPL appears to have soften it stance on backchat from how it was policed at the beginning of this campaign.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
Not sure what the referee saw here or how much of it he saw. He certainly saw the elbow by the goalkeeper which is violent conduct and a penalty kick if that was all that happened. Now the attacker was guilty of a holding foul before that on the GK so IMHO the correct decision was a red card for the goalkeeper, a yellow card for the attacker for holding and a DFK to the defending team.
These are not simultaneous fouls as if they were the referee could penalise the more serious offence which would be the violent conduct

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I agree with Referee Joe McHugh. Often times we have a foul and then a retaliation after becomes misconduct. Thus if the keeper was held up, the referee decides to call that foul, and then keepers gets frustrated and elbowed the attacker..it should be a free kick going out after the red card. An interesting question is that if the referee chooses to apply advantage and allow the keeper to punt the ball....did the keeper ruin it for himself by elbowing the attacker? One could say that the advantage never pursued as the keeper didn't use the advantage, but at the same time it was the keepers free will and choice to elbow the attacker.