Question Number: 31688

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/7/2017

RE: Under 14

Troy of Sherbrooke, QC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23946

The defender makes contact With his foot to the attackers face, while the attacker is standing upright. Is this still an inderect free kick. Seems strange that kicking someone in the face would not merit a direct free kick. Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Troy,
NO it is not an INDFK offence of playing in a dangerous manner, once there is physical contact becomes a DFK of kicking an opponent and evaluated as careless reckless or excessive. It could easily be a DFK or PK if inside the opposition PA and the culprit shown a red card & sent off for SFP causing his team to play a man down .
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Troy,
This is not now - and never has been - an indirect free kick. The offence of playing in a dangerous manner (PIADM) requires that there be no contact between the players. As soon as there is contact, an IFK is no longer a possibility.

In the past, there was a specific mention of this in the section of the law dealing with PIADM, as follows:

''Playing in a dangerous manner involves no physical contact between the players. If there is physical contact, the action becomes an offence punishable with a direct free kick or penalty kick.''

Now, it is no longer required to be specifically mentioned in relation to PIADM because Law 12 makes it clear as a general point of principle, stating that, ''If an offence involves contact it is penalised by a direct free kick or penalty kick.''

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Troy
Foul physical contact on an opponent is ALWAYS a direct free kick. It is never an IDFK. Playing in a Dangerous Maner which involves NO phsical contact has an IDFK restart as it is deemed a technical foul. Physical contact is always a penal foul
Now in a game situation the referee might miss the contact or think that say the ball hit the player.

Have a look at this incident
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=brQ5ovTBjWE&t=7m20s
The referee thinks that the Brazil Yellow player does not make contact with USA Whites head. Video evidence suggests that she did. The decision therefore once there was physical contact should have been a penalty kick and also a caution for reckless play.
Here is an obvious direct free kick offence
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CaatxQFde-g
Red player should also be cautioned for reckless play