Question Number: 31930

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/23/2017

RE: Adult

Muhammad Rizwan of Abbottabad, Abbottabad Pakistan asks...

Sir,

I just want to confirm that if a gollie collect the ball with hands right from the edge of the penalty area line but it seems like that the ball is outside the penalty area but he jumps and collect it with hands and his feet is in penalty area is it a foul? In simple that the ball is in air but seems it outside the penalty area but keeper is inside the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Muhammad,
if the ball is completely outside the PA it CAN NOT be handled by the keeper to do so is a DFK from where it occurs. The fact the rest of the keeper is inside the PA MEANS nothing.

I suggest you consider the PA boundary lines as a five inch wall of water extending high into the sky if ANY portion of the ball is wet that ball can be legally handled by the keeper even if the keeper is completely outside the PA.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Muhammad
It is the position of the ball that counts not the position of the goalkeeper.
If all of the ball is outside all of the penalty area line it is outside the area and the goalkeeper may not use his hands. To do so is an offence punished by a direct free kick with disciplinary sanctions if certain conditions are met.
I would also say that referees should only penalise where he is certain an offence has been committed. Calling a handling foul when it SEEMS that the ball is outside is not a tenable position to be in. If unsure then play continues.
Have a look at these examples. There are a few tight decisions that can only be decided by an assistant looking across the line
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=byUdVvKXhck