Question Number: 18478

Law 13 - Free Kicks 3/5/2008

RE: travel Under 13

Gwyn Williams of Bridgewater, NJ USA asks...

Law 16 (Goal Kick) says that the ball is in play when it is kicked directly beyond the penalty area.
It also says that opponents should remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.
Suppose the keeper takes a quick kick to a team mate outsdie the box but near the touchline. An opponent, who was waiting on the top of the box, sees this and cuts across the corner of the box to get to that opponent while the ball is still going through the penalty area. He gets to the ball after it has left the penalty area.
Has an infringement taken place? Should the kick be retaken?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The kick must be retaken. The language is clear and I suspect this is precisely the reason for the prohibition. The team NOT taking the goal kick MUST stay out of the penalty area until it is in play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Yes it is an infringment for an attacking opponent to be INSIDE the penalty area at the talking of a defending free kick or goal kick before the ball has FULLY cleared the area. If there was an attacking player inside but he had no effect we might consider it as doubtful to intervene at this point. On a quick kick if the ball left the area and no other situation was an issue such an act could be considered as a trivial event and overlooked IF no disadvantage to the team taking the kick occurred. A word to that player is certainly recommended. Mind you if we stop play to retake it is quite feasable to caution the opponent for delaying the restart of play.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is a good example of why Law 16 is worded as it is. Yes, this IS an infringement

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

It is also failing to respect the required distance if that particular player has been previously warned about such behavior.

Regards,