Question Number: 17687

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/5/2007

RE: Rec Under 9

Mike Slattery of Columbus, Ohio USA asks...

Hello,
I understand that free kicks (both direct and indirect) may be taken quickly if so desired. The "fast" kicks apparently stem from the concept that the team guilty of the offence have no rights to manage the timing of the kick. My question concerns the so-called ceremonial free kicks. I have heard (in some corners) that the guilty team need only request the time to build a wall, and the referee should comply. Since this goes against the idea of "free" stated above, is this incorrect? Can the defending team make any requests in this regard? Or is it the attacking (kicking) team that only has rights to this request?

And thanks for a great service to the soccer community!!

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The defensive team has no right to ask for anything at a free kick, much less time to set a wall, so whatever "corner" was feeding you that info was sadly mistaken. However, the kicking team can and does have the right to ask for a "ceremonial free kick" which usually involves setting the wall. This is most often done down close to the goal, because they have set pieces they want to try and implement, but it can be used for many purposes. The referee may choose to implement a ceremonial free kick to manage the play as well, although to do so is supposed to be in benefit to the kicking team, not to give any quarter to the defending team. As you so correctly noted, the "free" in free kick means the attackers are allowed to kick free of interference from the defense.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The guilty team must withdraw the required distance once they have committed an offence punishable by a free kick. They have absolutely NO rights to do anything else. If they fail to respect the required distance or crowd around the referee and dissent the decision, read delay the restart of play here, they run the risk of a caution. Note, most referees usually do not have the necessary courage to caution these happenings, even at the professional level of play. Get hold of the latest Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game and read paragraphs 13.2-13.4. When referees start reading what is expected of them we'll see some changes on wall management. Those changes will go from managing scoff laws to punishing them...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The team defending a free kick does not have the right to ask for time to set up a wall. They have a right to set up a wall provided they are AT LEAST 10 yards away from the ball where they set up that way, but they do not have the right to slow down the taking of the kick to set up the wall.

The attacking team may FREELY take the kick and the defenders are not free to interfere with that by using the tactic described. You are correct.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It's incorrect and illogical. The team committing the offence has NO RIGHTS AT ALL. They MUST give the 10 yards. The only team that can ask for the 10 yards is the team that was fouled. You understand the Law well