Question Number: 35359

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/25/2024

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

Hello,

one DOGSO question, please.

Rule says:'An indirect free kick is awarded if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area, commits any of the following offences:

• controls the ball with the hand/arm for more than six seconds before releasing it

• touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player

• touches the ball with the hand/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or attempted to kick the ball to release it into play, after:
• it has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate
• receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

Is it possible to consider DOGSO in such a case? Or can I consider DOGSO only in case of second touch after restart?

Thank you very much!

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Petr,

The answer to your question actually lies in another part of Law 12. In the section 'Handling the ball' it states:

" If the goalkeeper handles the ball inside their penalty area when not permitted to do so, an indirect free kick is awarded but there is no disciplinary sanction. However, if the offence is playing the ball a second time (with or without the hand/arm) after a restart before it touches another player, the goalkeeper must be sanctioned if the offence stops a promising attack or denies an opponent or the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity."

So in all your cases, it's an IFK only with no card, even if it would deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

The only time a GK can be carded when they illegally handle the ball in their own PA is if they have taken a restart (free kick or goal kick) then handle it before it touches another player, making it a double touch. The reason you can YC or RC there is because the handling isn't the important part - it's the double touch that's the offence.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
No DOGSO in these 5 cases, it is an INDFK only!
In cases of a second touch AFTER a free kick then yes DOGSO could apply!
It is NOT The use of hands it is the act of an illegal play of the ball which denies a GOAL or scoring opportunity! . Hands or feet makes no difference!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
Thanks for the question
In the 5 listed IDFK situation there cannot be a card sanction for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity nor can there be a caution for stopping a promising attack.

The only possible dismissal on use of the hands inside the penalty area is for the double touch infringement which is spelt out in Law 12. If the hands or feet are used in the offence and the conditions are met for a DOGSO or SPA it is not the handling of the ball inside the penalty area by the goalkeeper that is sanctioned yet the illegal double touch.

Law 12 states
**However, if the offence is playing the ball a second time (with or without the hand/arm) after a restart before it touches another player, the goalkeeper must be sanctioned if the offence stops a promising attack or denies an opponent or the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.**

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 35361