Question Number: 15954

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/6/2007

Steve of Leonardtown, MD USA asks...

There is a video going around which stimulated some conversation between the referees in my house(son, daughter and myself). An attacker is dribbling towards the net and the keeper comes out and gains possession with his hands. The attacker was charging hard and runs by the keeper and over the goal line. While there he stops and re-ties his boot. Mean while, play continues and the keeper rolls the ball in front of him to play it with his foot. The attacker that is off the field see this and charges toward the keeper who does not see him. The attacker tackles the ball away cleanly and scores. What is the proper restart?

The attacker is not offside as the ball was last in control by the keeper. He ran off the pitch during dynamic play and because he ran out of real estate which as I understand is okay. Since he stopped off the pitch to correct an equipment discrepancy, can we give the defense an IFK from the point the attacker touched the ball? Is the attacker cautioned, if so for what: entering w/o permission or USB?

I believe the attacker was being unsporting by laying in wait. I would give the IFK at the point of contact and caution the attacker for USB.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I'm not sure if this was the same video I saw a year or more ago. The keeper didn't keep track of where his opponent was, and put the ball on the ground. The opponent stole the ball and scored. The goal is valid.

I don't recall anything about tying a shoe while off the field. Still, in the video I saw, it wouldn't have mattered if the opponent tied his shoe a couple steps off the field or a couple steps on. The keeper just wasn't playing attention, and wouldn't have seen him on either side of the goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

This doesn't constitute USB. It constitutes stupidity by the goalkeeper and has happened a few times at the highest level in English football.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

NO the keeper has the right to punt the ball within six seconds of UNCONTESTED possession. When the keeper places the ball back on the ground he released the ball into active play where it CAN be contested.

You wish to consider USB to the player for the delay of returning to the field but as you have duly noted reasonably that there is no reason to see a wrong given he left under momentum of normal play.

In truth though, there is some thought in the consideration of deceit for why a player remains off the field for an unreasonable length of time? Now tying a shoe is not a bad thing but you must ascertain was it done soley to hide away or cheat to stay hidden? Defenders for an example are not allowed to step out to force offside and offside players have no need to step out to show non involvement yet it does say that a referee CAN consider why they do what they do! So even though we likely see the goal as ok in law you ITOOTR COULD choose to see it otherwise!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

I'll allow the goal. I might choose to take a few moments and get in the ear of the shoe tie-er and discuss the relative merits of crouching down to hide from the unaware goaltender, especially off the park.

Regards,