Question Number: 18939

Law 13 - Free Kicks 4/30/2008

RE: Division 1 Under 17

Bryce of Austin, TX 78704 asks...

In a tied game with ten minutes reaming...

The attacking team (Team A) is just outside the defending team's (Team B) 18 yard area and Team A is advancing, when a defender on Team B takes the ball away. The player who had the ball stolen fouls the player trying to clear the ball for Team B.

A DFK was awarded to Team B. The goalie rushes to get the ball and place it in the right spot just on the top of the 18 yard area. He places the ball in the correct spot. As he is doing so an attacker for Team A (not the original attacker) is returning from an advanced position in front of the goal. He is about 7 or 8 yards away from the DFK when the GK for Team B takes the kick which hits the retreating attacker in the back of the leg. The attacker didn't know what was happening, he didn't make a move to play the ball, his back was turned to the kick, the kick was taken quickly and he was just running back towards midfield. The attacker turned around and put the ball into the empty net.

The referee allowed the goal.

Is this an acceptable ruling and why?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The opponent was quickly retreating as he is required to do. The keeper took a quick kick while the opponent was retreating. he forfeits the right to 10 yards. The only exception would be if the opponent ran towards the ball which didn't happen in this case. This is clearly a valid goal.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bryce,
as an opinion by the referee it is a valid goal because he has that power. The referee has judged the free kick was a poor one not an unfair one. The referee obviously thought the same as you,
"The attacker didn't know what was happening, he didn't make a move to play the ball!" It does take some time to move out of range.

It could just as easily be a retake with no caution as law 13 awards us this option simply by saying if an opponent is within ten yards the kick is retaken.

It could be cautionable with a retake since the path a player takes could be to move in line with the opportunity to block a passing lane all the while to appear he was simply retreating. They do this when they are in advance of play and run over top the area where the ball is being placed. One needs to remember at any free kick an opponent MUST withdraw a ten yard minimum in ALL directions! To get ten yards ahead when you are 7 yards behind you travel 17 yards to get 3 more yards.
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 19136