Question Number: 17738

Law 14 - Penalty kick 11/7/2007

RE: Adult

Chris of Worcester, England asks...

A player stops in his run-up to take a penalty, at the same time one of the defending team's players enters the D on the edge of the penalty area as a result of the delayed run-up.

The penalty is saved.

Does the referee order the panalty to be retaken due to the defender encroaching bearing in mind the taker has stopped in his run-up?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Yes, the kick should be retaken, assuming in the referee's opinion both players had infringed the requirements of Law 14. If the referee felt the attacker's stop was unsporting behavior, he can caution the attacker and the restart would be an indirect free kick for the defense (assuming the encroachment of the defender was considered trifling or doubtful). The referee can also choose to warn the kicker to proceed properly and signal again for the restart (which has the same effect as retaking the penalty kick). By trifling, I meant the defender's action had no effect on the kick at all - say for instance he was behind the kicker and out of his field of vision, and the defender was only a step into the penalty area. Any of these scenarios is a possibility, depending on the conditions in the game, and ultimately, the referee's opinion on the matter - that's final.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Excellent answer by Ref Maloney. I think she covered everything!