Question Number: 15240

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/22/2007

RE: rec Under 11

J. Corcoran of Tarrytown , New York USA asks...

If a defensive player has a ball unintentionally hit off of his body and the goalkeeper then picks it up, is this a foul and if so what is the correct call by the referee? I was substituting for the absent regular referee today and this ocurred. thank you in advance.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi J Corcoran,
nothing about the situation you describe is in anyway a foul.

Note the law exert below where an infringment is possible

Indirect Free Kick
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area: touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate

If a defender had the ball deflected off his foot it does not fit the above deliberate criteria of a kick to the keeper if the referee is of that opinion.

It is not ever illegal for a defender to pass the ball towards his keeper and the keeper is not prevented from using his hands inside his PA off a team-mats pass unless that ball was deliberately kicked by the team-mate to the keeper or from a direct throw in by his team-mate. Any pass other than a deliberate foot kick of the ball is not restricted and the keeper can use his hands per normal.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No. Only way is if keeper handles a ball deliberatly kicked to him by a teammate.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Coach and kudos to you for asking. The infraction you refer to is the keeper handling the ball after it has been DELIBERATELY KICKED to him by a teammate. If the foot is not involved, no infraction. If the foot is involved and not deliberate, no infraction.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There is no infringement if any player intentionally lets the ball hit his body and the goalkeeper uses his hands.

Regards,