Question Number: 19031

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/8/2008

Mike Dreyfus of Germantown, TN USA asks...

Scenario: IDFK occurs in the penalty area (or could be outside the PA). Defending player other than the goal keeper deliberatly blocks the ball the with their hand preventing it from going into the goal. This defender was the first to touch the ball after the kick.

Is this considered DOGSO by deliberately handling the ball and send off or just a PK, no send off or caution since the goal would not have counted because it was an IDFK? I say the latter but would like to confirm. Not sure if caution for USB is appropriate? Would either restart be a PK?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If a goal is not allowed to be scored, then there cannot possibly be a goal that was denied by a foul. Therefore the player using his hand to stop the ball from entering the goal would not be sent off. It would be a penalty kick because deliberate handling is a DFK offense, and it happened inside the penalty area.

The referee would use his judgement as to whether a caution for unsporting behavior is necessary. Perhaps the derision this player gets from his teammates will be enough deterrent so he will not repeat his actions. After all, he's just turned a goal kick for their team into a penalty kick against. The keeper in particular may have a few sharp words for him!

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Since it was impossible for a goal to have been directly scored, you do not have a case of DOGSO and there is no send off. It is up to the referee as whether to caution the player. If inside the penalty area restart with a penalty kick.

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