Question Number: 17192

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/8/2007

RE: competetive Under 19

Cleve Fontenetta of New Holland, NJ USA asks...

It's a breakaway in the box and the goalkeeper snatches the ball off the ground, gaining control. The attacker's momentum continues and as he jumps over the keeper he inadvertantly kicks the ball from the keeper's hands into the goal.

I'm pretty sure this is no goal, as the keeper had control of the ball, but what is the call and restart?

Does it change if it is judged that the attacker's action was intentional?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The referee stops the play and does not allow the goal.

If the player kicked or attempted to kick the goalkeeper in a careless way, then the restart should be a direct free kick from the spot of the foul.

If the player did not do what I listed above, then the restart should be an indirect free kick for preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball into play.

In both cases the free kick is taken by the goalkeeper or one of his teammate.

Intent doesn't matter, just the fact that the player kicked the ball out of the goalkeepers hands. Even if the referee thought it was not done on purpose, the referee would still call the foul, as it is fundementally unfair to allow a player to kick the ball out of the goalkeeper's hands, it's also inherently unsafe.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

You are right that it is no goal. The restart depends on whether the referee chooses to call it as a kicking offense or as a prevention of the GK from releasing it into play. The first is a direct free kick restart and the second is an indirect free kick restart. If, from the player's actions, it is relatively clear he did not mean to injure the keeper, I may go with the IDFK. If I am at all unsure about whether the player deliberately went into the keeper, I will give the DFK and a good chewing out, with a possible caution for UB. It isn't worth the cost to the game to quibble over actions which pose great danger to a goalkeeper on the ground.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Cleve,
the keeper has ball possession and control in his hands he can not be contested inadvertently or otherwise Law 12 states an indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee:
- prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands
In my opinion I think the indfk works because the doubtful or accidental nature of the penal foul attempt to kick seems not truly to fit the circumstance. If I did see it as a cheap shot dfk and possible caution show yellow card.
Cheers