Question Number: 17464

Law 17 - Corner Kick 10/22/2007

RE: Competitive Under 17

Still Learning of Memphis, TN USA asks...

I have one real and one imaginary question.

I was working on a game last weekend and the score was 2-1. The attacking (losing) team took a shot and the ball deflected by a defender and went out of the field over the goal line. The ball went out from the left side of the goal post, however, because the shot was taken from the corner of the penalty area the ball ended up on the right side of the goal post. At that point the ball was about 10 yards away from the corner flag located on the right side of the field. The losing (attacking) team was trying to be quick and one player got the ball, placed inside the corner arc on the right. At the same time, winning team coach started to screaming and asking that they have to kick the ball from the other end of the field. I let the team use the corner kick from the right side of the field. Since there was only 3 minutes left and taking the ball to the other side would definitely be time wasting opportunity for the winning team. The winning team was trying to waste time for the last ten minutes and I had already shown a yellow card to one player because of it.

After the game, final score is 2-1, I checked the laws of the game to see whether I was correct in my decision or not. Laws of the game says "the ball is placed inside the corner arc at the nearest corner flagpost." Based on this, it seems I was wrong by allowing the losing team using the corner kick from the other side. But I believe I did the right thing since the ball was already there and corner kick is a way of starting the game. Would you let the team kick from the other side since the ball is already there or would you ask them to bring it to the left?

My imaginary question is as follows: There is something bothering the kicker on the left side perhaps there is two feet water on that side and the other side is clear. The ball is staying on the left if they want to change the side they have to take it to the other side (no water or hole etc. on the right). Does the player have to kick from the left side or can we allow them to change the side?

Thank you in advance!

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You did take care of Stanley Screamer, didn't you? His was not behaving in a responsible manner.

You could have easily had the kick moved to the other (correct) corner, and added time to the game to compensate.

If you come to Royal Oak in the Spring, you won't have to imagine a field with a flood just off the corner. We've got two fields that qualify. I saw the ball go over the line on the right side of the goal, didn't everyone else? Take the CK from the right corner - which just happens to be the dry one.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You are correct that in Law 17 tells us where to take a corner kick. However, US Soccer in their Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game, 17.1 states the corner kick is taken "from the corner on the side of the field nearest to where the ball crossed the goal line." In that it does not offer the option of restarting play from the corner nearest the ball! You do not have an option to move the ball to the other side if there is an "unplayable lie" at the proper restart location.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You're still learning. You were wrong to let the team take the corner from the incorrect corner. As part of your resposibilities you must abide by Law 7 that tells you you MUST add time where it's been wasted. Have the corner taken properly and make a mental note of another 30 seconds or so. I see you cautioned a played for wasting time and I hope you also told him you were adding time anyway.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 17515