Question Number: 15609

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/26/2007

RE: Rec Under 11

michael of ottawa, ontario canada asks...

What do you do when the defender or keeper inside his own penalty box fouls the opponent who is not near the ball. You wouldn't call it a penalty kick because it wus not affecting the play would you? Would it be a direct kick inside the box? I know if its an indirect kick in goal box you put the ball on the goal line and kick from there, but what would you do in this case with the foul?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Your post is frought with error. I would suggest as a referee you really MUST stop performing your duties until you reread the laws of the game at least 10 times in their entirety, then do some hail marys.

I fail to understand your logic considering the text of law 12 states...
"A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offences (the direct free kick fouls) is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play."
So, if a direct free kick foul is committed by a defender or the goalkeeper within his own penalty area and you stop play for this foul you MUST (seriously, and for clarity I'll repeat) you MUST restart the game with a penalty kick. In fact, once given time cannot even expire as you must extend time to allow the taking of a penalty kick. It makes no difference to the laws of the game whether or not the foul has affected play - you MUST restart with a penalty kick.

Next you say indirect free kicks that are given in the goal area must be placed on the goal line. That is also WRONG.
Law 8 says...
"A free kick awarded to the defending team inside its own goal area is taken from any point within the goal area.

An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team in its opponents? goal area is taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred."
So in neither case is play required to restart from the goal line. Sorry bud.

So, please for the good of those 11 year olds out there who want to play soccer according to the laws of the game... take some time, go back and learn the laws of the game, and only then accept some more assignments.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Before reading the Laws of the Game 10 times you might want to reread Ref Montanino response to your question. Also, Law 12 describes two kinds of foul play: direct free kick offences and indirect free kick offences. Law 8 talks about where you place the ball when an indirect free kick offence is given by a member of the defending side within their own penalty area. The players you referee deserve nothing less than Ref Montanino asks of you.

Regards,