Question Number: 32476

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/28/2018

RE: Rec Adult

Russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 32473

Suppose for a moment this...

nothing else but this...

IF Loris Karius had a bit more observational awareness, and suddenly baulked at releasing the ball because he could sense Benzema was about to stick a leg out...would that change anyones thinking or position on this?

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If nothing else, this is great example to prompt debate about a scenario for us all to place in the reference bank. To help provide points to consider.

To that point, less then half a day after this 'blunderful goal'by Benzema, at a local match here I was an AR in a match that had a young CR being assessed. The accessor made a great point to the CR at half time that he often turned his back to run up field once the keeper had the ball in his hands. Now the accessor did not use the UCL incident as an example, but he certainly could have.

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but back to my question...IF Loris Karius had a bit more observational awareness, and suddenly baulked at releasing the ball because he could sense Benzema was about to stick a leg out...would that change anyones thinking or position on this?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
First point is that a referee should never take his eye off the ball even when the goalkeeper has it. That is why most referees run backwards to get in position in such situations so that anything untowards can be seen. Most times nothing does happen yet when it does the referee needs to see it.
Had Karius baulked at release I would have give the goalkeeper more time in possession and reset mytime in possession clock in my head. Other than that I would do nothing other than pay closer attention to the players and his actions should he follow through with preventing release. .

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

H Russell,
we do not read minds we observe actions.
The keeper unwisely CHOSE to release the ball back into play with an opponent close by. This is NOT an opponent hassling the keeper's release protocol. The keeper could easily have stopped, allowed the attacker time and space to move away rather than run with him before choosing to release the ball, the attacker simply responded to the ball being released he DID NOT prevent it in any way shape or form.
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 32480