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Soccer Referee Questions on Soccer Rules

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Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/30/2025

RE: Rec Adult

Mario Viteri of Katy, Tx USA asks...

If a defender passes the ball to the goalie who is outside the penalty box, then the goalie dribbles the ball inside the penalty box and then picks it up, is that legal?...

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Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 3/30/2025

RE: Rec Adult

Tony Thomas of London , United Kingdom asks...

If the referee awards a penalty and VAR overturns it, why does the game restart with a drop ball for the goal keeper?
...

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Law 5 - The Referee 3/30/2025

RE: Competetive Under 14

Daniel Robinson of Derby, UK asks...

If I was to give advantage for a clip on a player outside the box and that player has then taken 3 further players on and then fouled in the box for a clear penalty.
Do I revert back to the initial foul or give a penalty?...

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Law 3 - The Players 3/25/2025

RE: completive Adult

Peter of Melbourne , Australia asks...

Thank you for responding to my questions.

However, I am still not fully convinced by this situation.

My understanding is that if the referee is not informed, a field player who changes positions with the goalkeeper is still considered a field player in the eyes of the referee. If that player subsequently touches the ball and prevents it from entering the goal, they would be committing a DOGSO offense.

According to Law 12: "Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a deliberate handball offense, the player is sent off, regardless of where the offense occurs (except for a goalkeeper within their own penalty area)."

Could you please provide fu...

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Law 3 - The Players 3/22/2025

RE: Adult

Perter of Melbourne , NSW Australia asks...

Two questions, please:
Can a goalkeeper change roles with another field player just before a penalty kick is taken during normal time? (There is no injury to the goalkeeper.)

2) If a field player switches with a goalkeeper without the referee's permission and subsequently touches the ball, what caution/sanction should the referee apply?

The player touches the ball and results in a goal?

(goal stand and yellow card?)

The player touches the ball and saves or rebounds? (dogso and Red card?)

Thank you.
...

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High School 3/22/2025

RE: High School

James Caponera of Okatie, SC United States asks...

Is it permissable for a player to have anything written on the legs if it is not offensive ?...

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League Specific 3/22/2025

RE: PREMIER (RTD) Professional

ISHIAKU. IBRAHIM of LOKOJA, KOGI NIGERIA asks...

GOOD EVENING/DAY. SORRY MY QUESTION IS NOT ABOUT DECISION MAKING IN OFFIATING BUT REGARDS FOOTBALL AND OFFICIATING.
IN A STATE WHERE THERE ARE REFEREE COUNCIL AND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FA) REFEREES APPOINTMENT COMMITTEE. WHICH OF THESE BODY IS INCHARGE OF MAKING APPOINTMENT FOR REFEREES WHEN THERE ARE F.A ORGANIZE COMPETITION? THANK YOU, I WANT TO LEARN. ...

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Mechanics 2/26/2025

RE: Under 18

Issy of hereford, United Kingdom asks...

What happens if a goal is scored as the lights go out? If the ball is heading towards to goal (in the air) and the lights go out before the ball is seen to enter to goalmouth, does the goal still count?...

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Law 11 - Offside 2/25/2025

RE: Competitive Adult

Peter Babbage of Hjorring, Denmark asks...

Really two questions in one if thats ok! It concerns offside. Ball played through and it clips a defender. He hasnt tried to play it but does this play the attacker onside? I know it does if he tries to clear the ball .
A ball is played through and I think a forward is deemed offside if any part of the body he can score with is offside. However what part of the body is taken into account. for the defender. For instance a forwards boot is behind the line of the defenders arm ( if that makes sense...

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Law 3 - The Players 2/22/2025