Question Number: 15758

Law 15 - Throw In 6/11/2007

RE: Competive Adult

Brian of Anchorage, AK USA asks...

Where can I find the rule that says (in order to prove to another Ref) that it "is" legal to throw the ball in to your own goal keeper and he is allowed to use his hands in order to catch the ball? I did this the other day and was called for an indirect hand ball by our keeper resulting in an indirect free kick on the 8 meter line.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Brian finding this in writing is impossible and it has been impossible since 1 Jul 1997. I hope you didn't bet too much cause it's gonna cost ya.

Here is what he quotes, from Law 12:

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper,
inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences: ...

... touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Jon [Withheld]

I hope you took this bet before the summer of 1997 because the law changed that a keeper can not touch the ball with his hands from a throw in. exactly the same as a deliberate pass to the goal keeper from a defender.

ed note: directly from throw-in

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Brian. There's no such thing as an "indirect handball." A keeper may NOT handle a ball received DIRECTLY from a throw-in by a teammate. If he does, or as you did, this will result in an indirect free kick for the opponents at the spot of the handling subject to the Special Circumstances of law 8. Also, what is the 8 Meter Line? The Goal area line is 5.5 meters and the penalty area line is 16.5 meters

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

My friend,

Never bet on something you think you know. Bet on facts. The facts are that a goalkeeper may not touch a throw-in with his hands if it has been thrown-in by a teammate. That just doesn't fly.

I hope you didn't bet the farm on it.