Question Number: 33735

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/26/2019

RE: rec Other

sal of chicago, IL USA asks...

So there's a shot on goal by attacker, the shot is deflected by a defender to the left vertical line of the penalty area, the goal keeper gets to it and does his best to grab the ball and maintain possession before the ball leaves the penalty area, but in doing so, he realizes that he must release the ball inside the penalty area before his body momentum puts him outside the penalty area, which would mean, he'd be penalized with a handball infraction. He then proceeds to quickly pick up the ball once he regained his composure. This was a quick one second possession, followed by an intentional drop followed by a pick up and back to possession.
Please correct me if wrong, but would this not be sanctioned with an IFK for double handling?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Sal,
there is reason to see this as a infraction if clear control WAS established but we often give the keeper a collective moment or 2 to regain his composure. Regain his feet after a save where he goes down or is moving at high-speed trying to recover to ensure control . I see this as potentially going either way depending on circumstances, certainly enough leeway to see it as trifling or doubtful if this was a slide out at high speed, wet ground not a casual affair invoking lethargic motions but a bang bang coordinated effort to quickly dispense the ball back into play.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Sal,
This is an infringement by the keeper. Avoiding carrying the ball outside the Penalty Area is not an event that permits double handling by the keeper.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Sal
Yes that could be called as a technical infringement punished by an IDFK. However a referee if he was so inclined could look at the first touch as not possession / control and see it as a fumble on a save with the second touch as the control. From that point he has six seconds to release the ball.
Sometimes we see a save, drop, re pick up with little question of an offence so this all depends on circumstances.
I am always keen to promote common sense in outlier situations rather than gotcha type refereeing. I have seen plenty of technical infringements over the years that the opponents did not bother about and as a result I was happy to let them slide as doubtful and trifling.
On this situation clear certain control and release to prevent the handling and a pick up which is without doubt is an IDFK. Usually when it happens the ball does go outside the area.
If on the other hand it is a catch, release recatch all happening together then the benefit of doubt can be given in the same way as a clear save, ball held and the ball pops away after contact with the ground which is recovered. If it looks like that then no offence for me.