Question Number: 17348

Law 17 - Corner Kick 10/16/2007

RE: Rec (9-12) Under 12

Kimberly Diakogiannis of Fitzgerald, Ga USA asks...

On a corner kick can an opposing player be in the goalie box obstructing the goalie and score a goal or would that be a penalty?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Kimberly,
the correct term is *impede* but obstuct is clear enough to tell me that the incident in the goalie box, the correct term is *goal area* is likely misconduct before the corner kick. This could be dealt with a verbal "STOP THAT!" by the referee and if continued by any player so obtuse as to not heed the warning a caution for the USB of shadowing the keeper.

If the act of impeding the keeper is in effect AFTER the ball is in play(when it is kicked and moved) then it is an INDFK out subject to the special circumstances of LAW 8.

Justice would not be served if the keeper was truly impeded by an opponent (obstructed and interferred with by blocking his movements) To allow that team to score is against the laws as law 10 states there can be NO infringment prior to the ball entering the goal by the team who scores the goal. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The way you describe this - and the attacker is truly impeding the goalkeeper - then the referee should stop the game and award and indirect free kick to the goalkeeper's team. That kick may be taken from the spot of the infringment, and if that happens to be in the goal area (smaller rectangle) then the kick may be taken from any place in the goal area, just like on a goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Kimberly. How are things in South Georgia? Let's get our terminology straight. Before the corner is taken an opponent of the keeper's may not impede his progree nor may he hold the keeper likewise preventing the keeper from moving. The opponent is gree to stand aherever he wants but he can't move with the kjeeper to limit the keeper's movement. But...none of this is a foul of any kind because it occurs while the ball is out of play. What this is, is misconduct and the referee seeing it should blow his whistle before the kick, caution the player and show him the yellow card. If the player impedes or holds the keeper AFTER the kick is taken it's a foul (not a "penalty"). If he impedes the progress of the keeper it's an indirect free kick for the keeper's team and if he holds the keeper it's a direct free kick. In soccer parlance, "penalty" usually refers to a penalty kick.