Question Number: 14789

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/3/2007

RE: Pro Adult

Daniel Munteanu of Bacau, Romania asks...

An attacker may charge the opposite goalkeeper?
1. If the answer is "Yes", what conditions must carry out the charging in order to be considered a lawful one?
2. If the answer is "No", what forbids it?
Best regards,
Daniel Munteanu www.danimunte.xhost.ro

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Daniel,
Charging is in fact a DFK foul as listed in law 12 so it is not something that is wise to do to any player

However there is what is referred to as a legal charge whereby to contest ball posession a player may challenge his opponent (includes the keeper) shoulder to shoulder, UNLESS the keeper has the ball in his hands as he is granted 6 seconds of uncontested posession too which even shoulder to shoulder would not be permitted.

If you, as the attacker and keeper were both running after a ball not yet within the keeper's grasp and the ball was within playing distance (realtive close proximity to where in about two steps at the speed you are going you could get to that ball you could legally bump him off the ball using your shoulder.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

An attacker cannot take out keeper or challenge keeper when he has ball. Keeper must be allowed to punt or place ball or release ball in another manner. If it is a 50-50 ball, then both keeper and attacker have right to ball. Referee must evaluate who committed the foul.