Question Number: 16167

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/30/2007

RE: Select Under 15

Scott of Waynesboro, PA USA asks...

The blue team shoots at goal and ball beats the GK. Before it is a crossed the line an orange player slaps the ball with his hands to stop goal but it still goes in. Is the correct call, goal is allowed and orange player is cautioned for UB. Could player be sent off?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

What would be the reason for sending him off? If it was for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity, he failed miserably, didn't he? So, we can't send him off for that - nope. All we can do is caution him for the unsporting behavior of making the effort and slapping the ball with his hand...unless you want us to pull it out of the goal and award a penalty kick for the handling? Naw. That's not as good a punishment as allowing the goal. So, to answer your question, goal allowed, orange player cautioned for UB is correct. Sending him off is a major mistake - assessment failed.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The only reason to send the player off would be if the referee foolishly blew his whistle when the player illegally handled the ball. If the referee did this, he would send off the player for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball. The restart would be a penalty kick. If the referee allowed advantage as he should, restart is a kick off and a caution for USB would be well deserved.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Here the referee must determine what is most important a goal or disciplinary action. The astute referee will know instantly the ball has a chance of entering the goal and play advantage AND signal for it. This is necessary because if the worst happens and another defender gets to the ball before it enters the goal the advantage you saw was not realized. That one little thing gives you the opportunity of blowing the whistle and returning to the handling infraction. This would be a penalty and a sending-off.

If a goal is scored the only punishment necessary is a caution for the inept handler. You would, of course, award the goal and restart with a kickoff. Note, if the inept handler was on a caution he would be sent-off for a second caution in the same match.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Scott,
if you send him off it best be for recieving a second yellow in the match as you caution for the USB attempt of TRYING but FAILING to stop a goal! As mentioned an astute referee will delay the whistle to evaluate on the chance something good might yet occur!
Goal allowed here is good!
Too quick whistle before ball crosses goal line, no goal, send off, team plays a man down and PK not so good!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No send off because he did not precent the goal. He should be cautioned. It is important referee holds the whistle here.