Question Number: 7080

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

RE: any

Andrew Feist of , asks...

Please can you tell me why the indirect free kick has gone out of the professional game except for offside infringment. This is particularly relevant to cases of defenders 'sheperding' the ball out of play over the dead ball line from an oncoming attacker?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Could it be that the player's accept this kind of foul play and the referee sees no need to intervene? ..Regards,

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If by "sheperding" you mean "shielding" it's because it's legal.I don't see a lot of impeding or playing in a dangerous manner at high levels anyway. Most fouls are the penal fouls.

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Answer provided by Referee Gary Sebalja

I think that you are noticing that fouls aren't being called, this is because it comes down to the opinion of the referee, as long the player is within playing distance of the ball it is OK Indirects are rarely called anyway, they normally involve the keeper,

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