Question Number: 16748

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/17/2007

RE: Select High School

John of pelham, ny usa asks...

Ball travelling through the Penalty area from the 18 and headed out of bounds just to one side of the goal. In pursuit of the ball is an attacker. Keeper lunges out for the ball but misses it and it goes over the goal line out of play. Keeper takes down attacker with his lunge. If the ball was still in play, this is a foul, but since it occurred just at the goal line, what is the correct call if the ball was over the line when the 'foul' occurred?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the ball is out of play, there can be no fouls. There can only be misconduct. The referee must decide if the incident of the keeper taking down his opponent is worthy of a caution or send-off.

If the referee decides no caution is necessary, he might still amply express his displeasure with the actions of the goalkeeper before play is allowed to resume. The keeper would be reminded that except for a fortunate bit of timing, he'd be looking at a penalty kick instead of a goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The contact can only be misconduct if the ball is out of play!
As my colleague REf Voshol says if the act was careless a reaming out of the keeper on his good fortune but best be aware of the safety concern. If the act was reckless or excessive a caution show yellow card or send off show red card is always possible! The restart remains a goal kick or a corner depending which team last touched the ball prior to crossing the goal line! I do not like the free shots or liberties that often go unpunished at the elite level for late tackles with the ball out of play. These acts of misconduct require direct referee intervention in my opinion much more often! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Since the ball was out of play, then by definition, there can be no foul. What the keeper did MAY be viewed as inconsequental or misconduct. The referee may do nothing, caution and show the yellow card, or even send the keeper off and show the red card. Depends on the severity of the take down.