Question Number: 33190

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/27/2019

RE: Rec Adult

Russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

Foul recognition

Keen to hear the panels thoughts on the penalty awarded in the Portugal v Serbia.

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/ronaldo-injured-as-portugal-held-to-draw-by-serbia

Seems to be a coming together that on another occasion (particularly in the outfield) might be seen as just that - a coming together.

Would the officials seen this as a charge, or obstruction (as the keeper looks to be trying to halt his momentum once he realises he is going to be late). Is it a bit unlucky and just is what it is?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Russell,
Quite a common scenario this.
And it's a clear foul for me.

The attacker and the keeper have run to the ball, yes. The attack is the one who got a touch on it. The keeper then got there late and ran into the attacker. The keeper may have tried to slow down - but he was never winning that ball. It's not a case where the attacker played the ball then kept running - he took a step or two before he was crashed into, but purely normal momentum.

The keeper needed to judge this better and either get there sooner, or position himself to block the ball (such as run out, slow down and try to block the chip). I'm inclined to believe it was simply mistimed by the keeper, but it was quite late and for me, wholly the keeper's responsibility. The foul would be a careless or reckless charge.

You are right that the keeper tries to halt his momentum, but it's too little, too late.

Not DOGSO because the foul has nothing to do with the goal being denied - the attacker was never going to get the ball after his touch. A YC is a matter of opinion if it's considered to be reckless.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
Without doubt an offence and a penalty kick. It is at best careless by the goalkeeper who comes out, does not win the the ball and places himself in the path of the attacker making heavy contact. It can also be interpreted as reckless.
If the GK was just stood there doing nothing then different matter but that is not what happened. Players will say *But ref I could do nothing. He ran into me* but the fact is that a player has to be accountable for his dynamic actions and if he runs into an opponent without playing the ball then it is illegal charging or holding. The simple fact is that players have to decide the possibility of contact in these situations and decide accordingly.
Flip it around. Would there be any debate about a foul if the GK punched the ball away and he was hit by an attacker after he did so?