Question Number: 35698

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/14/2024

Erez of Haifa, Israel asks...

Hell,

I am seeking clarification on two specific scenarios involving handball decisions in football, particularly regarding the position of the player's body and the location of the handball incident. I would greatly appreciate your expertise on these situations:

Scenario 1: A defending player is positioned within their own penalty area. The defender extends their hand out of the penalty area and deliberately touches the ball with their hand, with the contact between the hand and the ball occurring outside the penalty area. The key points are:
The contact between the hand and the ball is outside the penalty area.
The defender’s body remains inside the penalty area.

In this situation, should the decision be a penalty kick (since the defender stands inside the penalty area), or a free kick awarded to the attacking team from the point where the contact with the ball occurred?

Scenario 2: A defending player is located outside their penalty area but extends their hand into the penalty area and deliberately touches the ball with their hand, with only the hand and the contact with the ball occurring inside the penalty area. The key points are:
The contact between the hand and the ball is inside the penalty area.
The defender’s body remains outside the penalty area.

In this case, should the decision be a penalty kick (since the ball was handled inside the penalty area), or a free kick awarded from the point where the defender was standing?

Thank you in advance for your clarification on these scenarios.

Best regards

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Erez,
the first scenario is easy, the handling violation occurs OUTSIDE the PA! As long as the BALL itself was COMPLETELY outside the PA, not even a tiny bit overhang on that 5 inch boundary line that is the restart location.
The position of the player, even if it was the keeper, is not relevant, BALL Position only!

I will add, if the ball is considered to be handled outside and thus ONLY a DFK while yellow card caution or red card send off misconduct might still apply, the restart location MUST not overhang the boundary lines, the ball should be placed just a smidge outside! Why? Because if a referee actually spots the ball, ON the PA boundary line, it is in effect SAYING the DFK should REALLY be a PK! Or if it was the keeper, no foul at all.

The second scenario is completely different, if it was one of the ten defenders it is 100% a PK, however, if it was the keeper then there is absolutely NO foul as the keeper is permitted to handle the ball if that ball is inside their PA. That includes ANY portion of that size 5, 9 inch wide ball is overhanging or touching any of that 5 inch PA boundary line! If so then the ball is considered inside the PA EVEN if part of that ball is actually a bit outside

In the same way a goal can not be scored until it 100% completely crosses the goal line under the crossbar and between the posts. That ball is up until that moment is considered to be still inside the PA even if most of the ball is out into touch within the netted area!

This same concept applies for a ball that is mostly midline side on the 18 yard boundary lines that make up the penalty area. In fact a 6 foot keeper could be lying outstretched on the field feet pointing near the outer edge of the D reaching back with his fingers compressing the ball to the ground thus in legal possession on an outside portion of the ball where as the opposite side of the ball overhangs or is in contact with the PA boundary line. Now of course to define this may well be difficult but strictly in law. it is what it is! With VAR, freeze frame and multiple angles this likely is caught but at recreational grass root level good luck! It is not trifling as the restart location plays a huge part as does defining it as a foul but it could be doubtful in close situations. lol
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Erez
Thanks for the question.
The key considerations is the location of the ball and if it is inside the penslty area it is a penalty kick and outside a direct free kick once the referee deems that the ball was handled.

For a penalty to be awarded the ball must be inside the penalty area which includes the penalty area line. If the ball is fully outside the penalty area it cannot be a penalty.

The location of the body is not relevant just where the hands make contact with the ball . If the handling is outside the penalty area it cannot be a penalty kick no matter the location of the rest of the player’s body.

In scenario 1 the decision is no penalty
In scenario 2 it is a penalty.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Erez,
When considering whether a specific handling offence is a penalty or a direct free kick outside the penalty area, the only thing that matters is the position of the ball. If the ball is inside the penalty area when it is illegally handled (and that includes any part of the balloverhanging the penalty area line) then a penalty is awarded.

On the other hand if the entirety of the ball is outside the penalty area then the result is a direct free kick from the location of the ball. In neither case does the position of the players hands or body make any difference to the decision.