Question Number: 17974

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/20/2007

RE: High School

Mike Ruhnke of Carroll, Iowa United States asks...

Team A has a corner Kick. Ball is kicked and goalie catches ball.
During kick a player from team B pushes down another player from team A away from play.
What is correct ruling for restart?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

As a referee you should know that if the pushing took place after the kick was taken, it is a foul. The restart is a direct free kick, or a penalty kick if it happened in the penalty area. Consider a caution for unsporting behavior or even a send-off for severe foul play, depending on the intensity of the push.

If the push occurred before the corner kick was taken, it can only be misconduct. After dealing with the player, the restart remains the corner kick.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Timing is everything. When did the push occur? Before the kick was taken? Misconduct only, and corner kick restart (since the ball was not yet in play). After the ball is kicked, it will be 1) DFK restart if not in the PA; 2) PK if in the PA; 3) trifling if the push is not significantly upsetting to the player pushed and or doubtful if it does not materially interfere with play. However, chances for #3 go down when the GK catches the ball - you have to be there to judge based on the match, the players, and the multitude of other factors that enter into such judgment calls.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Technically a push would result in a direct free kick or penalty kick (if push was inside penalty area). However, whether or not you should call this foul is another question and only you can answer that based on what you've seen and its impact on play - see Ref Maloney's good answer for a little more detail.