Question Number: 14837

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/12/2007

RE: Competetive Under 14

bret getty of Mt. Carmel, Pa. USA asks...

During a recent indoor soccer game an event happened that has me puzzled. During a corner kick the majority of the attacking players stood on the 18 yd. line. As the kicker approached the ball the other players charged the goal area. The ball was lofted in the air in front of the goal and two attacking players made an attempt to head the ball. One did head the ball and the keeper made a great grab on the ball controlling it. However since this happened in real time the second attacking players momentum carried her into the goalkeeper bumping her. The keeper lost her balance and stumbled landing inside the goal,the whole ball over the goal line.Even though their was no intent to push the keeper she did bump her.The ref. allowed the goal but I'm not sure this was correct since the keeper did catch the ball outside the goal. It's one of those plays where it doesn't seem right to award the goal , but it doesn't seem right to penalize the other player.Any help would be great

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bret,
if the keeper has ball posession and an opponent stumbles into the keeper trying to head the ball it is at least a careless foul and a DFK out should be awarded. While we would have to see to be sure my opinion no goal! In a 50 50 challenge we can see incidental contact and decide if it is trivial or doubtful as to a foul or misconduct but to push or knock a keeper into their goal can hardly be ignored. If the keeper was already falling into the goal we might not see the contact as affecting the result but it appears here a goal was awarded when in my opinion it should not!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

I scored my second goal by charging the keeper into the net. The Law has changed and you can't do that any more. Once the keeper has possession she's no longer a target!

Regards,