Question Number: 17972

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/20/2007

RE: Rec, Select, Premier Under 17

Rob Schmidlin of Lynnwood, WA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17918

In a recent game where I was the Center, the defending team had possession of the ball in their half and moving towards their own goal (they had just intercepted a through pass from the attacking team). In an attempt to move the ball to an area of less danger, the defender clearly kicked the ball towards the Goal Line. However, the ball was directed into the penalty area where the GK pickup the ball about two yards from the top of the area.

I know Law 12 states "deliberately kicked to the GK", but how is a referee to know if a kick is deliberately kicked to a GK or simply misdirected into the penalty area?

I choose to award an IFK to the attacking team as the GK had enough time to make a decision to play the ball away with his feet or pick it up (which he choose to do). The entire defending team's sideline erupted all saying "He was trying to kick it out of play!"

This was not a rebound from a defender's foot, nor was it a an obvious miss-kick by the defender. He simply just did not direct the ball away from the PA.

Did I make the correct call?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

From your description it certainly sounds like the team had the intention of kicking the ball back toward the keeper. Teams do this all the time - and the keeper kicks it back downfield. I wouldn't pay much attention to what the folks on the sidelines have to say.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If it is your opinion the goalkeeper used his hands unfairly then he did. In your case the keeper collected the ball with his hands sixteen yards from the goal line. Why he did so is an unknown but if it seemed a bit unusual to see the keeper use his hands for whatever reason you may pull him up for it. The spectators are entitled to their opinion and so are you. Yours counts though.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

In my mind it is usually VERY obvious when the ball has been deliberately kicked toward the goalkeeper. To you this was obvious. To me it sounds you made the right call, way to stick to your guns.