Question Number: 15422

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/8/2007

RE: Rec Under 13

Brian of Baltimore, MD USA asks...

The goal keeper from Team A has possession of the ball in his/her hands after a save. There is a foul away from the ball at midfield (the opposing player from Team B is holding a player from Team A) What is the restart and I was assuming the player that was holding should be cautioned with a yellow card?? What if the foul took place in the penalty area? What if the foul was against team A?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Brian the restart of play is at the point of the infraction unless a direct free kick offense that is given by a team inside its own penalty area or an indirect free kick offence inside a goal area where the special circumstances of Law 8 apply. It makes no difference where the ball is when the offence happens. Do not assume there is a caution involved because the Law tells the referee when to caution.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

The ball is in play in the goal keeper's hands. You observe foul play in the middle of the field. You blow your whistle to stop play. Restart is where the foul occurred. Did the foul occur in the PA? Apparantly not, but instead, the middle of the field. Ball goes to the point of the infraction. Team against whom the foul was committed gets the free kick -- Direct free kick for the holding. If you chose to stop play ONLY to give a caution, then the restart is at the point of the infraction (where the player to be cautioned was) and the opposing team gets an Indirect Free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

What does the player gain by holding an opponent near the halfway line whilst the keeper holds it? Probably nothing. It looks like they might be trying to start something. keep an eye on it and if it seems like he's doing something unsporting - then he should be cautioned. Most off the ball fouls are going to be cautioned anyway, but you really need to know what has happened before you issue any caution or send-off, there are always exceptions.