Question Number: 32537

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 6/24/2018

RE: Youth to adult, comp and rec.

Barry Stewart of Chilliwack, BC Canada asks...

A play that almost happened in a recent game got me thinking 'what if?'

Picture a defender on the goal line out near the corner of the penalty area. He's inside the PA and no other players are near him. A wild shot by the attackers is clearly going to go out for a goal kick - but the defender, for some reason, raises a hand to touch the ball while it's still in play.

The touch doesn't keep the ball in play and the ref is now faced with gifting the attackers with a penalty kick. Or a corner kick.

Common sense (which the defender lacked) would suggest that a corner kick is gift enough for the attackers. I feel a PK would be harsh, in this instance - though it was a deliberate handling.

I hope none of you would also tack on a caution.

I'd also hope that any PK would be harmlessly kicked over the end line, by any team with a modicum of fair play.

Thanks again.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Barry
The only decision is a penalty kick and no caution.
For whatever reason the player has decided to handle the ball and while harsh it is still has to be a penalty kick.
As to fair play that is of no concern to the referee and I doubt if any team would not try to score.
Here is an example
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ee98vg65eE
Germany scored the resultant penalty kick.
Have a look at this one which was not given
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wuteWxc7B78
The referee and FIFA subsequently apologized for the referee missing such a blatant deliberate handling.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

H Barry,
A deliberate handling is what it is unless you thought a player off the FOP was just stopping it to prevent it from heading into the nearby bush or pond and the ball was not yet completely of the goal line into touch. In THAT case I might just go with the corner kick but from the way you describe a PK and no caution. Dumb is just Dumb. Fair play is the players choice we only act in accordance with the LOTG .
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Barry,
As described, I don't see that the referee has much choice other than to give the penalty. The only exception might be if, as ref Dawson suggests, you judge that the player was actually trying to stop the ball from finishing miles away off the pitch and/or you think (since you say he is on the goal line) that the ball might just have gone out of play before he touches it