Question Number: 31691

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/8/2017

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

This question is a follow up to question 31683

The match referee Radek Prihoda explains his decision:

'The player did not increase the volume. The hand did not go against the ball. But reaching a goal after handball is against football. It will be terrible to me. It's a big punishment for a broken team.'

The Czech Referee Commission fully supported him and the Czech media gave him a high rating, because in their opinion he used common sense.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Petr,
Interesting comments, though I think something has been lost in translation as 'increase the volume' does not make any sense in this context, in English.

If I interpret the comments correctly, the referee seems to be saying that it was not a deliberate handball but he decided to give it anyway because it resulted in a goal being scored. For me at least, that is contrary to the law.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
While some of the quote is difficult to understand it probably bears out my human nature comment on this type of decision. I think he is saying that as the player benefitted from the ball striking his hand with a goal scored that it would be *unfair* to allow that to happen. The law also says that it is only correct to punish deliberate handling. What was the attacker to do? The ball was played at him from a yard or so with his arms at his side. So the referees comment is not supported in Law. He could have said that the player did not deliberately handle the ball had he allowed play to continue. By using his argument perhaps the ball had it not hit the defenders arm at the other end would have fell kindly to a forward to score and therefore a penalty should have been awarded.
Of course it is a difficult decision and the team on the receiving end, media reflects human nature as the ball clearly hit the arm, benefitting the player. The same could have applied to the defender yet it was correctly not given. Had the referee played on the same media would be berating him for applying the law correctly.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
I understand why but in my opinion I just think it was wrong! It sets a poor precedent but I have seen players REFUSE to be given credit for a goal off their arm or hand missed by the referee that the player felt guilty and asked for it to be denied treated as heroes so it is understandable the media is inspired. I like that the czech referee association supports their referees but nothing in the LOTG demand this goal be taken away.
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 31700