Question Number: 17591

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/30/2007

RE: several Other

Phil of Fulton, New York USA asks...

Today, I saw a referee call a handball on a kid (u15) when he stuck his hand out but did not touch the ball. The coach argued the call and the referee said it was a handball, even though he did not touch it, because he stuck his hand out. Having watched and coached for more than 10 years, I was curious if there is such a "foul" as I have never seen that call before.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Oh my gwad my head hurts!.
No there is no foul of attempt to handle the ball deliberately!
NO there is no foul of attempt to strike the ball deliberately .

If the player actually threw something at the ball and missed it could be misconduct an INDFK and a cautionable show the yellow card for USB of throwing something but there is NO!! foul for not touching a ball.
I too have never seen it but certainly now have heard about it.
Please get the necessary information to those who can help this referee in dire need of foul recognition training!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Phil. This is a case of a referee making up rules as he goes along and it's sad he was on any game much less a U15. There is no offence called "attempting to deliberately handle the ball". The player did not contact the ball, there can be no foul. This is such a blatant misapplication of the Laws Of The Game that it's protestable if that affected the outcome of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Wonderful. Sounds ever so splendid a thing to behold. Life is indeed good when a referee of this caliber is on your match. One can learn so much with regard to all the new things that are being tested by him. Next time don't forget to bring a bullet to bite on.

Sorry,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No. The ball needs to actually make contact with the hand for this to be called. It also needs to be handling the ball deliberatly - not just accidentally.