Question Number: 17212

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/9/2007

RE: Competive Under 15

Charles Mac of Greenville, PA USA asks...

Team "A" is awarded a corner kick. The ball is traveling towards the goal. The keeper from team "B" knocks a player from team "A" down while the keeper is attempting to play the ball. This occurs inside the six yard box. Does the keeper have a right to make a play on this ball inside the six yard box? Can a player from team "A" impede the keeper from team "B"?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The goalkeeper has just as much right to play the ball as any other player, but no more. If getting to that ball involves fouling an opponent, inside the penalty area, the keeper had better get prepared to defend against a penalty kick.

In the same token, a player cannot impede the opposing goalkeeper. That means moving into the keeper's way when the ball is not within a playable distance. Indirect free kick outbound.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

There is nothing "magical" about the goal area. We seem to be getting a lot of questions regarding the goal area and I wonder if some commenatator on television is perpetrating some myths about the goal area. Of course the keeper is allowed to challenge or play a ball inside the goal area. SO is everyone else. Opponents of the keeper may not challenge him once he has possession of the ball ANYWHERE inside his PENALTY AREA of which the goal area is inside. Now, does the keeper have the right to knock somebody down I'd have to say no without seeing what happened. The keeper cannot intentionally knock someone down nor may he run over anyone. Impeding the progress of an opponent is a foul regardless of who commits it so the answer to your second question is no. What usually happens at a corner kick is that before the kick is taken an opponent will mark the keeper and try to prevent him from moving. The referee should blow the whistle, delay the corner kick and caution this player. Once the ball is in the air, usually, the keeper's opponent now causes contact and this impeding becomes a holding violation punishable by a direct free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The ball on a corner is a long way away. The players cannot impede as that is in fact an INDFK offence. The fact that players will impeded BEFORE the kick is even taken is a minor form of misconduct that if not adequately dealt with can turn ugly.

The act of blocking or shadowing the keeper prior to the restart is a form of misconduct that could be dealt with via a warning but could draw a caution if on going.

No player can knock or run over an opponent just to get to the ball. There will be circumstances where this is obviously a pushing or charging foul then there will be the ones where we scratch our heads and think was anything truly wrong?

I can find a foul of some sort on just about any corner kick by either team. We know some are doubtful and trifiling others we can ignore are equal in the holding pushing or force exerted equally by the two opposing players who are comfortable that neither has an unfair advantage even if their acts are not in fact very fair at all!

The goal area has no special significance other than the restart location which changes a wee bit depending on which team draws the foul and what type of foul it is. It is part of the 18 yard penalty area where the keeper has the special use of his hands and all DFK offences against his team are spotted at the 12 yard pk spot.

Since a keeper can lift his arms and punch or reach over there are some iffy collisions that make you wonder if there was a bit too much contact but I readily admit I think we tend to slightly favour the keeper in uncertain situations.
Cheers