Question Number: 19240

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/31/2008

Kelly of Bullhead City, AZ USA asks...

A1 is preparing to take a free kick from the mid field line. Team B lines up in a wall and their goal keeper is the only teammate closer to the goal line than the wall of defenders. The wall is ten yards from the ball. All of the team B players in the wall step forward (closer to the ball than the required distance) just prior to the kick in order to leave A2, an unsuspecting attacker, in an offside position. The kick is subsequently taken and player A2 who is now in an offside position makes a play on the ball. Should the kick be retaken due to the failure to respect the required distance?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Yes. And the referee should select one of the players in the wall to caution.

It wouldn't be fair to the defenders to allow the attack following an offside offense, but you can still go back take care of the first offense, first. So in this case, retake the kick and caution the player and show him a yellow card is a good option.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Law 13 affords the referee the option to retake a free kick if the opponents are closer than 10 yards. Unlike Ref Montanino I would be a true ass and let the players know how I felt about the encroachment and do so very loudly, I would also warn the coach or manager that further happenings of this would be considered bring The Game into disrepute. Then I would retake the free kick. If there were further encroachment EVERY encroaching player would find himself cautioned and the coach or manager would find himself seeking something else to do for the duration of the match. My report would indicate irresponsible behavior in that he approved of his whole team failing to respect the required distance at the taking of the free kick because he chose not to put a stop to it after being warned.

That would see to the encroachment! Cautioning the one would not.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Ask what is the consequence of allowing the defense to be closer to the ball than is allowed - especially at what appears to not be a quick free kick situation. If the consequence is the attack is disadvantaged, as here, then you must retake the kick - and as my colleagues note, it is a wonderful opportunity to make known your opinion on such tactics. It is the only fair and right thing to do, and your authority allows it. If the consequence of the defense stepping within the forbidden space allows an alert attacker to take advantage of their attempt at deception and the space created behind them, I would allow it to go forward, since the attacker could be one on one with the goalkeeper. If I allowed the kick to go forward due to an advantageous situation for the attack, at the next free kick, I would make an absolute point of the distance and consequences for violations for all concerned, assuming I hadn't already done so at the first free kick of the game (more usual for me).

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

See Question: 19250