Question Number: 32798

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/14/2018

RE: Comp Under 11

Paul of Sonoma, CA USA asks...

If a foul is called in the penalty area in a 9v9 match. Is it a PK from the spot? We had a referee who called a direct kick inside the box say it was not a PK

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Paul ,
was this a regulation field with normal 18 yard PA? ?
When the ROC (rules of the competition) sets in bylaws and matches are played without adherence to standard FIFA protocol one would hope these aberrations are listed or explained? Things like the build up line and no heading have created a few raised eyebrows but a DFK foul inside the penalty area should be a PK in my opinion, notwithstanding some weird bylaw.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Paul,
This being a U-11, 9v9 match it was very possibly being played under modified Rules of Competition and on a less than full-size pitch. If that was the case, what happens in the case of a foul inside the penalty area (again, possibly of a modified size) would depend on what the ROC says.

Without knowing the ROC that were in effect, it would be very difficult to say what the correct decision should be.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Paul
In the 9 v 9 format the Laws of the Game are amended under Rules of Competition.
Law 1 is amended that is the size of the field of play and the penalty area. The penalty area is reduced in size to what ever is appropriate. It can be 14 yards or less
Also there is the no heading rule which is an IDFK from the location of the offence with maybe no slide tackling etc
Now if a direct free kick offence is awarded inside the amended penalty area we have a penalty kick. Only the referee could explain his decision.