Question Number: 15221

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/19/2007

RE: Travel Under 13

David Diamond of New Rochelle, NY USA asks...

On a free kick for the defending team in it's own penalty area - the ball is kicked but not yet out of the penalty area, so not yet in play. One of the attackers (who was outside the penalty area when the kick was taken) moves into the penalty area as the ball is moving - but not yet in play. This attacker does not touch the ball. The ball goes directly to another attacker who plays it properly outside the penalty area. My reading of Law 13 suggests this is an infringement - but I don't know what the sanction (restart) would be (kick retaken?).

Could this be considered a "trifling" infringement that requires no action? (Would it be "trifling" if the ball went directly to a teammate of the kicker?) Should the referee wait to see if the attacker who prematurely entered the penalty area gets involved in the play - or is that not an issue?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No, it's not "trifling", at least not in this case. The infringement of Law 13 took place BEFORE the ball was in play so the restart is a retake of the kick. The referee upon seeing the opponent enter the penalty area before the ball was in play should have blown his whistle and ordered a rekick. Also, he should have admonished the opponent and if it happened again should issue a caution and show the yellow card.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

What Ref Contarino said.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi David,
first off good on you for thinking about this in terms of possibilities. Trifling is in the possibility of a foul/misconduct as in what impact it could have on fair play. Doubtful is in need to consider the effect it has on fair play and the players' tolerance within the context of game managment.

Here we see an opponent infringing the proceedure of the goal kick. Remember on ANY free kick outgoing from the penalty area the ball must first leave the confines of that penalty area to actually be in play.

If an opponent enters the goal area before the ball does so, the infringment occurs BEFORE the restart so if we DO stop play it requires a restart and possible caution show a yellow card or at least a verbal warning to not transgress again or face the yellow glow of the sunshine card.

In my opinion it could be trifling as long as the opponent played no part in the developing play as in the ball going to a teammate of the kicker for counter attacking play and the opponent not being in a position to effect secondary play. ie opponet cuts across left corner top of PA ball goes right side too far away to make an impact.
Do not be shy though of warning those that pop in and out of the radar, that shortcut it is NOT allowed! And if a blatant crash and rush or the ball hits or just misses the opponent certainly not trifling Cheers