Question Number: 31669

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/2/2017

RE: PREMIER Adult

IBRAHIM ISHIAKU of LOKOJA, KOGI NIGERIA asks...

DURING A MATCH, BALL WAS PLAYED DIRECTLY TO A GOALKEEPER FROM HIS TEAM MATE (BACK PASS). THE GOAL KEEPR MISSED THE BALL WHILE TRYING TO PLAY THE BALL OUT WITH HIS LEG. WHILE THE BALL WAS GOING DIRECT TO THE NET (GOAL) HE (GOAL KEEPER) NOW USED HIS HAND TO PROPELLED THE BALL FROM ENTERING THE NET (GOAL). WHAT SHOULD BE THE DECISION OF THE REFEREE?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ibrahim
The decision is that the referee awards an indirect free kick to the attacking team from where the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hand/s that was deliberately kicked to him by a team mate and if that is inside the goal area then the IDFK is taken on the 6 yard line.
There cannot be any card for the goalkeeper as the GK cannot be sanctioned for handling the ball inside his own penalty area. It is an IDFK only

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Ibrahim,

If a teammate kicked the ball to the keeper, then the restart is an indirect free kick from where the keeper handled it (or out on the edge of the Goal Area - the 6 yard box - if it was inside there). The keeper cannot received any card at all for this - laws prevent the keeper from being carded for handling the ball inside his penalty area. Doesn't matter if it stopped a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Ibrahim,
You say the ball was played but you don't say exactly how. I think we should be clear that it is only an offence if the ball was ''deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate.'' 'Kicked' means the ball was played with the foot. If the ball was played with a body part other than the foot or if the kick was not deliberate, there is no problem for the goalkeeper to use the hands.

Assuming the 'play' you describe was indeed a deliberate kick then the decision should be as outlined by my colleagues - an indirect free kick (but no caution).