Question Number: 32164

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/13/2018

RE: Other

mahyoub of nablus, nablus palestine asks...

the player kicks back the ball to his goalkeeper and the keeper tries to kick the ball but fails the ball rebounds from the goalpost at this moment the keeper catches the ball with hands to prevent the attacker, who is far 3ms away behind the keeper, from playing the ball, what action should the ref. take in this incident?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mahmoud
As the ball has not been touched by an opponent after the deliberate kick to the goalkeeper by a team mate the restriction of the goalkeeper using his hands continues to apply.
The referee awards an IDFK to the attacking team from where the ball was touched by the GKs hand/s and there is no card for the GK. Inside the goal area the kick is taken on the six yard line.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mahyoub,
while we are reluctant to punish uncertain or doubtful or circumstances sometimes a mistake is just a mistake and taking away the opposition's right to challenge or score is not trifling.
If you as CR are 100% convinced the ball was deliberately kicked by the team mate to his keeper then the keeper hands are out of play. His mistake in redirecting the ball into his goal post does not change he can not use his hands The INDFK for illegal use of hands from where he touches the ball subject to the special circumstances in the goal area.
Yet in youth if there were no opponents nearby, we might just play on!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Mahyoub,
In this situation, the referee should award an indirect free kick to the attacking team. The goalkeeper has chosen to handle the ball after it was deliberately kicked to him by a team mate. The fact that the keeper has kicked the ball and that the ball has come off the post does not change the fact that the keeper is not allowed to use the hands, especially when it was the keeper's own actions that have led to the situation in which he finds himself.