Question Number: 18036

Law 14 - Penalty kick 11/30/2007

RE: Competitive Adult

Bob of LA, CA USA asks...

A penalty kick was called in a youth game. The referee told the kicker that he must start his run toward kicking the ball from within the box. (In other words he was not allowed to get a running start from outside the box.) Is this correct per FIFA? Thanks much.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Bob Law 14 only requires the kicker be properly identified. It says players other than the kicker are located:

inside the field of play

outside the penalty area

behind the penalty mark

at least 9,15 m [10 yds] from the penalty mark

Perhaps the referee assumed the kicker must be inside the penalty area OR assumed the kicker could not be properly identified unless he was inside the penalty area. That is his right if it is his opinion regarding that fact connected with play. As long as he is consistent with the decision in all penalty kicks in the match players must treat it as a match condition just like they must a strong wind, rain or other thing.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Nothing in law, just a referee's personal match condition.
Cheers