Question Number: 32982

Law 17 - The Corner Kick 1/13/2019

RE: Adult league Adult

Danny of Lawrence , Kansas USA asks...

Hi,
A player kicked a corner kick and mistakenly hit the flag, or the ball hit the flag. The flag felt into the field.
What is the call in this case?

Thank you,

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Danny,
If this were simply an unfortunate mistake, it would depend what happened next. If the ball goes out of play, the restart would be either a goal kick or throw-in, depending on which line the ball crossed as it went out and the corner flag would be replaced. If the ball remains in play the referee could allow play to continue if the fallen flag is not causing an impediment to play (the flag would be replaced later) but if the ball is still in the vicinity of the corner area and the fallen flag is affecting play, the referee could stop play, have the flag replaced and (assuming no other offence like a double touch had occurred) have the corner retaken.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Danny
As Referee Grove points out it depends on what happened next.
Have a look at these series of corner kicks. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M4oUiPbR_yg This one is a double touch that goes out over the goal line. That could be an IDFK if correctly spotted or a goal kick. Not sure what decision the referee went with and it has the look of a dropped ball which makes little sense to me.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pyXLi0wd2ko&t=0m50s
Second one the kicker misses the ball completely so it is a retake after the flag is replaced.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WR02hY5gMA8 This one involves the player falling on the ball after the kick and handles the ball. The referee punishes the more serious offence of deliberate handling in that situation.
If the ball comes into play from the kick and there is no double touch by the kicker then play simply continues. The flag can be replaced at the next stoppage or by ground staff while play continues.
In this one it is a retake
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zjODVplapHg
In this one it is play on as the ball is in play
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5HQbyKm_NtI