Question Number: 18580

Law 13 - Free Kicks 3/20/2008

RE: Adult

Daniel Martin of Redditch, uk asks...

Last sunday i was in a wall defending a free kick i was the one to break from the wall and charge down the free kick. I went a little early as somtimes happens and blocked the free kick I was shown a yellow card straight away even though it was my first apttempt to block. Is this correct shold I have been booked so soon or at all?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes, the referee was correct. Failure to respect the requiered distance is a cautionable offense.

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Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This referee showed uncommon courage in making this call correctly. Far too many refs don't make the call, thus the surprise when it happens. A caution is a warning - a warning to the player not to do something like that again lest he be sent off.

Consider the opposite viewpoint. Would you like it if every opponent player (and subs after they come in) had to be warned before they could be cautioned? They could block 14 or so of your free kicks with no penalty except a retake. Does that sound fair?

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Absolutely correct call. You failed to give the required 10 yards.

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Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Charging down a free kick is not permitted under Law 13. Those players opposing a free kick must allow it to be taken before moving nearer than the required distance. The booking is in accordance with the letter of the Law and the Spirit of the Game.

Regards,

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