Question Number: 33577

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/15/2019

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

Hello,

I have one question. The goalkeeper unintentionally touches the ball with his hand outside the penalty area.

What is the referee's decision?

Thank you very much!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr
the issue is not unintentional in terms he was not TRYING to touch the ball, but were the actions he engaged in, considered to be in the opinion of the referee, a deliberate action? Outside the PA the keeper is just another player and he is viewed in the same light. Did he slide dragging the arm? Did he jump with arms wide? The DFK occurs outside the PA from where the handling occurs. The ball must be completely outside the PA for a keeper to be guilty of a DFK for handling. If the ball simply hit the arm it is play on!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Petr,
If the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hand outside the area unintentionally, the referee makes the same decision as if any other player unintentionally touches the ball with the hand anywhere on the field.

So unless the ball goes directly into the opponents goal or creates a goal scoring opportunity (unlikely but theoretically possible) there is no offence.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
Outside the penalty area the goalkeeper is just like any other outfield player. If the handling is not deliberate and unintentional it is no offence so play continues in the same way if it is an outfield player.
If it is intentional the sanction is a direct free kick and it can be a card or not depending on the circumstances.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Petr,
Outside the penalty area the goalkeeper is treated just like any other player - so the way you judge handling (and whether to apply any other cards) is exactly the same as any other player. Of course, you have to bear in mind that there IS no keeper behind if you're determining whether DOGSO has occurred - but despite what some say, the keeper handling the ball outside the PA is not an automatic card. Like any other player, it depends on the situation.