Question Number: 18022

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/28/2007

RE: Recreational Adult

Edgar Hulatt of Calgary, Alberta Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17935

Wow, that one [17935] had my mind in knots. After thinking it through and trying to relate the various options to the FIFA LOTG rule book I came to the following conclusion:

1. If a defending player pulls the crossbar down to prevent the ball going into the goal, play is stopped, and he/she is shown a red card for deliberate handball resulting in a DOGSO as the bar is considered an extension of his hand. A penalty kick is awarded.

2. A goalkeeper pulling the bar down cannot be penalised for deliberate handball in the penalty area. Consequently if goalkeeper pulls the crossbar down, play is stopped, and he/she is shown a yellow card for USB.

3. The LOTG state that: "An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player." Thus an IDFK is awarded, presumably from a point on the 6 yard line directly perpendicular to the goal line where the offence occurred.

4. The LOTG also state: "A player is sent off and shown the red card if he/she DOGSO by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick." The goalkeeper is thus shown the red card as the USB offence is punishable by an indirect free kick.

My initial confusion was because I was assuming that the offence punishable by a free kick had to be a direct free kick for a red card to be shown whereas an IDFK also meets the criteria for a DOGSO.

Does this all make sense?

The website is brilliant, I really enjoy the variety of replies from the various refs.

Edgar

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Your logic is spot on! There can be no question the keeper is going to get an early bath, the problem arises in the mechanics of it all. He must be shown to be guilty of an offence punishable by a free kick and that happens after he is cautioned and shown the yellow card. Restart for that is indirect free kick. Kapowie, that's a sending-off offence. Catch ya later dude...

We did ask the national organisation down here and what they said was as of 26 Nov 2007: Pulling down the crossbar is unsporting and therefore a cautionable offence. Once that is established by cautioning the player and showing him the yellow card the restart of play, an indirect free kick, is established. At that point in time the unsporting player who has committed an offence punishable by a free kick is sent-off for denying a goal or a goal scoring opportunity by an offence punishable by a free kick.

Thanks, we always appreciate comments regarding our brilliance.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. You are correct. 2. Correct. The crossbar is an extension of his hand so no DOGSO for handling as he's the keeper. Rather, DOGSO by commiting USB, an offence punishable by a free kick. 3. yup 4. EXACTLY! It doesn't say a FOUL punishable by a free kick, it says an OFFENCE. USB is an offense punishable by a free kick.