Question Number: 14815

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/8/2007

RE: High School & Rec High School

Hagan Bush of Pikeville, KY USA asks...

Last night in the first half of USA vs. Mexico, the USA goalkeeper Tim Howard covered the ball with a sliding movement but in the process part of his body appeared to slide out of the penalty area.

Question: If the referee had determined part of his body was touching the area outside of the penalty area, would this have been ruled "handling"?

Thanks,
hb

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Hagan,
NO absolutely not, only the position of the ball not the keeper's body would determine if the ball was outside the PA (a deliberate handling foul if the hands were in contact with the ball) or inside (the hands can touch the ball with even if the rest of the body was outside the PA!) Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You don't say where the ball was, you say where the goalkeeper was. The Law states a keeper may handle the ball inside his own penalty area. Important thing to remember...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

It matter only where ball is. Feet hands can be whereever, but if ball is in penalty area, no foul

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It only matters where the ball is. Did you watch the second half? Am I the only one that saw a clear and obvious DOGSO against the US result in a foul and caution only?