Question Number: 32160

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/12/2018

RE: Intermediate Under 14

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 32159

Suppose the ball slipped & hit her leg (accidentally) &/or bounced away after hitting the ground & an opposing player then got to the ball.

Would you card the opposing player for delaying a restart?

Since whether the possession was deliberately released could be a close question, giving a yellow in that situation would be harsh.

Thanks again for all the wonderful advice!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Entirely different matter as the ball has bounced away from the goalkeeper who has now lost possession and control of the ball, caused only by the goalkeepers mistake. In that scenario it is play on and as the opponent has touched the ball the restriction of the goalkeeper using her hands to make a save has been lifted. No possible card for anyone as the ball has been dropped and put into play.
It probably would be a card if the opponent say jostled / interfered with the goalkeeper deliberately causing her to lose the ball. That though is not what is described.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=2m47s&v=DB3g_oT1VJU
In this video the goalkeeper has caught the ball, bounced it and then thrown it to ground which makes it available to be played by an opponent. The goal was good. Had the ball bounced off the GK leg while bouncing it with the same outcome it is also play on.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Phil,
As I understand your description, the keeper has released the ball from the hands, is not (for instance) in the process of bouncing it, and the ball has rolled away from the keeper so an opponent who plays it has not committed any offence. Also, the offence of delaying the restart of play is only possible when there is a stoppage in play and there is no stoppage here. Since this is a case of ongoing play and there is no restart, it would not just be harsh, it would be technically incorrect to caution the opponent for delaying it.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil
a keeper with 6 seconds of handling possession can BOUNCE the ball and retain control but she can also drop the ball accidentally and be allowed to pick it up within the 6 seconds especially with no opponent nearby.

There could be cause for an INDFK out and a caution if it was the opposition player who caused the keeper to lose possession!)

If there is a nearby opponent who is not affecting the keeper's release, where when a keeper was bouncing a ball that inadvertently contacted the foot or a depression in the ground and suddenly veered off rolling away that opponent is perfectly entitled to challenge for that ball as it is now in active play despite the intentions of the keeper.

The fact we can cut some slack for an accidental release is no reason to punish the opposition for a mistake by the keeper.
Cheers