Question Number: 17247

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/11/2007

RE: high school High School

diane blacha of Avon, IN usa asks...

A referee calls a "dangerous play" foul and awards a direct kick. Goal is scored. Assist. ref discusses call with center ref. and says the kick should have been an indirect kick. The goal is waived off and a goal kick is awarded to the other team. Shouldn't the team awarded the foul have been awarded a chance to kick an indirect kick? the center signaled direct kick, signaled goal scored and was writing it down when the side got his attention at the prodding of the other teams coach.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Diane,
the laws were misapplied!
There is no way to allow the goal to stand!
INDFK offences requires that the ball touch at least one other player other than the kicker. Whether or not a verbal acknowledgement is forth coming to indicate WHAT the offence was and what type of free kick it is! The referee has an obligation to signal an INDFK with at least a raised arm!
FIFA Q&A address this in questions six and seven in Law 13
Quote
"6. An indirect free kick is awarded to the attacking team outside the
opponents? penalty area. The referee fails to raise his arm to indicate
that the kick is indirect and the ball is kicked directly into the goal.
What action does the referee take?
He has the free kick retaken because of the referee?s mistake. The
initial indirect free kick, is not nullified by the referee?s mistake.

7. A player takes a quick free kick and the ball goes into goal. The referee has not had the opportunity to indicate that the free kick was indirect.
What action should the referee take?
Order the kick to be retaken as the original offence only merited an
indirect free kick but the referee did not have the opportunity to give
the recognized signal."
end quote

I happen to agree with you! Note LAW 5 The Referee
Quote
"Decisions of the Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are
final.
The referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match."
end quote

The restart kick off has not taken place so the referee by realizing his error has a chance to escape but no buries his reputation under further black clouds, he awards the goal kick based on the fact that likely no other player but the kicker touched the ball prior to entering the goal. This is fine PROVIDED the team taking the kick were aware of what type of free kick was being gifted It is the referee's duty to be neutral but CORRECT in what and how he signals. As our new colleague Ref Maloney so adroitly states please refer this to your local league /referee administrator to ensure the proper information finds its way to this referee!
PS Mind you if this is a USA highschool query it is tough to say whether they accept FIFA doctrine on this point!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No goal and also no goal kick. The referee failed to give the correct signal for what was an indirect free kick foul, playing in a dangerous manner. the only fair thing to do is retake the kick this time an INDIRECT free kick.