Question Number: 32273

Law 14 - The Penalty kick 3/3/2018

Chuck Love of syracuse, new york usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 32264

Me again. Man I got a bone between my teeth lol.
What do you all think of this interpretation:

Given 1: A penalty kick (PK) is a 'clear goal scoring opportunity'(CGSO).

Given 2: During the taking of the PK it is illegal for a GK leave his/her line before the ball is played, aka encroachment.

Given 3: The penalty for illegally denying a CGSO is a straight red card (SRC) to the offending player and ejection from the game.

Thus if a GK saves of a PK via encroachment, then that's an illegal denial of a a CGSO, and the result should be a DRC to the GK and ejection.

I know it seems a bit out there, but I really can't find fault in my logic or application of the requisite laws, but I certainly could be wrong. Just a fun little thought puzzle. I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts. Ciao.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Chuck,

I thought of a couple of possible ways to approach your thought puzzle but I think there's one very simple one:

The good thing is that the law is quite clear on this - DOGSO only applies to offences punishable by a free kick. Keeper encroachment is not punishable by a free kick.
A retake occurs - but that's retaking the kick that's punishing the previous foul. Offences punishable by a free kick can only occur when the ball is in play; encroachment, by its nature, can only occur when the ball is out of play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Chuck
Interesting point and one that has been made in respect of the previous OGSO debate. The answer was the kick restored the opportunity and that is good for 80% + of penalties which are successfully converted. Unfortunately in the 20% the reason can be a poor missed kick and there is no guarantee that the OGSO would be scored either. I see plenty of goalkeepers who chose not to commit the foul and the attacker misses the chance.
In the Celta Vigo penalty there was a clear question as to whether the Real Madrid goalkeeper should have been sent off for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The referee went with a caution which was somewhat protested by the Celta players.
Now let us say that the referee went with encroachment the goalkeeper would have to be dismissed for a second caution on what may seem to many in the game as something that is doubtful and rarely called. That is the one of the challenges facing referees in these situations. I have looked at many penalties and I would safely say that most keepers encroach to some degree, some more blatantly than others. When a goal is scored encroachment is irrelevant yet goalkkeper get into a habit of being on the move at the moment of the kick. . Referees try to cut the goalkeepers some slack by only calling the most blatant of encroachment and therein is the problem. How long is piece of string.