Question Number: 33635

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/8/2019

RE: competive Adult

Marco Luna of Warrenton, VA United States asks...

what will be the call if one defender kicks on the head to his teammate inside the penalty box when he intends to clear the ball with a bycicle kick with an opponent near the both of them, and the ball bounces of the defenderand goes out pass the goal line

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Marco
By definition a playing foul is committed against an opponent. So there is no offence if an player kicks a team mate by accident in playing the ball.
Do the same against an opponent and it is a direct free kick and most likely a red or yellow card.
In this instance the likely restart is a corner kick.
If the referee was of the opinion that the kick was playing in a dangerous manner involving an opponent then an indirect free kick would be the restart. For that to happen the opponent has to be affected by the action such as moving away from the ball for fear of contact by the high boot. That does not read like that happened in your scenario.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Marco,
a corner kick is the likely restart unless the referee felt PIADM was correct if the opponent nearby refrained from challenging due to the unsafe actions. Defending team's coach might want to practice clearance procedures next practice! lol

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Marco,
Based on your description, I'd say the correct call here would most probably be a corner kick. If there is totally inadvertent physical contact between team mates, it is not an offence. Another possibility, I suppose would be an indirect free kick to the attacking team if the nearby attacker you mention, was actually prevented from playing the ball for fear of injury but I have to say, it sounds unlikely that from the way you describe it. If the defender made contact with their own team mate, it seems improbable that the attacker would also have been close enough to be affected.