Question Number: 31467

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/20/2017

RE: Varsity High School

Aaron Speca of Virginia Beach, VA United States asks...

Wow the play back to the keeper certainly has brought up a lot of discussion! And it has happened a lot in my daughter's HS games so far this year. Here's another one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLu31B9ZoF8

The two defenders certainly had a 'hands to the face' reaction, but it could have just as easily been 'OMG I can't believe we almost scored on ourselves' instead of 'OMG is the referee going to call that?'

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Aaron
Thanks for the video.
It is clear that the White defender had other intentions than deliberately kicking the ball to her goalkeeper. In fact the goalkeeper could do nothing here other than save the ball which is what is EXPECTED of a goalkeeper in such circumstances. It is simply a misdirected kick that could easily have gone into the goal.
So for me the correct decision was made by the referee and one that is expected.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Aaron,
well done for the referee realizing it was a clearance gone astray rather than a deliberate kick to her keeper. As I pointed out in the earlier one where an INDFK WAS awarded (not warranted in my opinion) the voice I heard on the tape expounding incorrectly that it was kicked with the foot thus it MUST be a INDFK is simply a myth.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Aaron,
Just to make it unanimous, I agree with both my colleagues that there is no offence here.