Question Number: 31700

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/12/2017

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

This question is a follow up to question 31691

I am sorry,

it is very difficult to translate verbatim citations from Czech into English. These languages have a very different logic:-)

Prihoda said something about natural hand position.

I have last question about deliberately handball.

How do you decide on the pitch when the ball touches the line between shoulder and arm? It seems to me that the referees usually consider these situations to be allowed. Or do I see it wrong?

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
the upper chest and shoulder are NOT considered as illegal body parts of the arm. The fleshy part of the arm muscle is often used to trap or cage a crossed ball so that it LOOKS like it is off the chest by just slightly pushing the arm out in front of the chest which cradles the ball and IS a deliberate handling offence . If the arm are neutral hanging down or pulled back than the ball is hitting only the chest and maybe the collarbone top so there is no foul.

Language issues aside the LOTG are supposed to be applied uniformly but I can attest when it comes to the foul of handles the ball deliberately because it resides as an OPINION on a fact of play based SOLEY on the referee understanding and point off view this infraction is the most misdiagnosed of the LAW 12 infringements. The arms/hands are attached to the body and they follow along in whatever fashion be it normal, usual, awkward, natural, unnatural, sigh. All the player can do is try to get the arms out of the balls path & hope the referee has a good view with a good understanding of the law.

We are instructed to utilize the spirit of the laws within a match adjusting the characterization of the expectations where in recognizing players & coaches do not like advantages gained or deflected goals scored off the hand/arm EVEN if totally accidental . In the match you showed me it looks as if the unseemly advantage prompted, a not in my match reaction by the referee believing the players would agree with such a decision. It is true this dislike even prompts player to tell on themselves lol

http://metro.co.uk/2012/09/27/miroslav-klose-scores-handball-goal-but-tells-referee-to-chalk-it-off-586966/



Have a look at this video while not directly related to your question it shows how FIFA is using RISK to find fault even if the handling is unintentional in the player had no desire or intention to handle the ball but it resulted off a deliberate action where he could NO LONGER control his body.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1ntPotJzRE&index=5&list=PLsAXIYtop5OuwuRbZmHjRVBsDfvZIzkhC

Esse was my mentor in this great game who I took a great deal of my own personal philosophy from based on the spirit an integrity of this man himself. There is a 5 minute video called 'The referee at the centre of World Cup storm " which is the single greatest video that shows the true spirit of integrity watch it and you will feel and understand why I love and respect this man who I hardly know personally but my life was made better for him being in it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-lNODXuA6k

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
Deliberate handling happens when a player uses his arm or hand. The arm for that purpose is from the tip of the shoulder all the way down. The best way to describe it is to move the arm away from the body and to look at the shirt line. Only the part that moves is considered for handling.
When the ball hits the upper chest it can be difficult to determine if the ball hit the arm or the chest particularly when the arm is tight to the chest. Move the arm away from the chest and it is much more obvious when the upper arm in tight to the chest.