Question Number: 15721

Law 13 - Free Kicks 6/7/2007

RE: competitive Adult

matt of copenhagen, denmark asks...

I know that a goal kick must leave the penalty area before being touched by another player, does the same apply to a free kick given in your teams penalty area?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Matt,
you are spot on mate, any DEFENDING free kick within their own penalty area requires the ball COMPLETELY LEAVING the confines of area before it can be played a second time by eith side ! As well all opponents must be out of that penalty area and or still ten yards away at minimum.
You will find LAW 13 covers this!
FIFA Quote
"Free Kick Inside the Penalty Area
Direct or indirect free kick to the defending team:
? all opponents are at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball
? all opponents remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in
play
? the ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty
area
? a free kick awarded in the goal area is taken from any point inside
that area
End quote
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes, if ball is going out. Ball is in play when it leaves penalty area and opponents must be outside of penalty area until ball leaves it.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Matt, too bad you were in Denmark and not at my game this week, or you would have seen a free kick retaken when it didn't go out of the penalty area. And would have heard the howls of the players and coach, "But it's a foul, not a goal kick."

No matter. As quoted by my colleague, the Laws state that any outbound kick taken from inside the penalty area is not in play until it leaves the penalty area.