Question Number: 17612

Law 14 - Penalty kick 11/2/2007

RE: JV Girls High School

Steve of Vero Beach, FL USA asks...

FIFA Law 14 and NFHS Rule 14 are remarkably similar on Penalty Kicks and consequences of infringements.

In a Girls JV game yesterday, a pk was awarded the Red team. All players retreated 10 yrds or more away and the kicker set up for the kick. White player steps over the penalty arc line just before the ball is kicked. GK makes a beautiful save and parries the ball over the goal line outside of the goal posts for a corner kick.

By Law 14 and Rule 14, the Defender was guilty of encroaching on the kick. She was literally 1 step over the line when the ball was kicked. Since she had absolutely no impact on the play, I ignored the infraction and allowed play to restart with the corner kick.

I believe that I am the only person who noticed the infraction. None of the attacking players said a word; no fan referee comments and the coaches were silent. The technically inaccurate, was this the proper decision to make in accordance with the Spirit of the game?

If the attacking team had noticed this infraction, is this something that could be protested as a misapplication of the Law/Rules of the Game?

Thanks for your insight!!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Steve, it sounds like maybe your trifling meter is on the blink. Or maybe really not, because you admit the action had no impact on play, and it didn't bother any of the players. If it doesn't bother you and it doesn't bother them, why should a trifling action need to be called?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Try this: Position yourself 2-3 meters inside the penalty area so you can see all the players. Blow for the kick. Anyone inside you isn't all that trifling. Trouble is so very few referees in the world deal with penalties in accordance with the letter of the Law when someone does they look very bad indeed.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Good decision! Also, try Mr. Fleischers advice on this. It works like a charm. Sounds though like this infraction was trifiling.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I think what you did was OK, certainly that was a trifling offense Allowing this cause no problems, so let it go.