Question Number: 14983

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/13/2007

RE: competitive Under 16

Andy Smith of livingston, west lothian scotland asks...

if team A are winning 5-0 and have another attack in which they have a shot that has beaten the keeper but one of the defenders punches the ball off of the goal line. what card would you give him?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As unfortunate as the score is, the defender is sent off and shown the red card if he denied a goal by the deliberate handling action.

If you are comparing our #4 you call it?
The denial of a goal is considered heinous where a trivial excursion at the opposing end of the field is hardly considered at all!
The punishment befits the crime
The defender is not sent off for the DFK penal foul (now a PK since inside the PA) but the unfair and unconscionable action of cheating the opposing team a goal!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Doesn't matter what the score is. This seems to be a clear case of denying a goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball. The defender is sent off and shown the red card. Restart with a penalty kick as this appears to occur inside the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes, by the letter of the law you must. There are no choices here and the LOTG do not allow an exception for the score.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Sometimes no matter how much you want it, you can't protect players from their frustration or stupidity.

If the ball was headed toward goal, it was a case of a goal being denied, and the player must be sent off. If it was in the penalty area, the restart must be a penalty kick.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 14997