Question Number: 20170

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/6/2008

RE: Mich Premier Under 16

Jerry Strabbing of Troy, Mi USA asks...

On the restart of a direct kick near midfield a defending player is standing off to the side of the ball 6 or 7 yds away. When the attacker approaches the ball to kick it, the defender lurking to the side tries to run in front of the kick to block it. The attacking team did not ask for yards to be given. The defender luckily knocks to kick away. The attacking coach yells for a foul and then at halftime meets me to tell me that is a foul and the girl should be penalized for her action.
I can not find anything in the FIFA book, in the rules or guidelines. I've asked a few of the other referee in our group and we do not have a definitive opinion.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Good heavens! Go back and read Law 13 where it states the defenders must be 10 yards away in all directions and must not interfere with the taking of the kick!!!!!!!!!

The attacking team does NOT have to ASK for 10 yards! The defenders are required to give it - always, and without being asked.

Allowing the defender to be closer than 10 yards and to run in front of the kicker and intercept the ball stole the free kick from the injured team, and added insult to the injury. The referee should blow the whistle, caution the defender for failing to retire the distance and the kick should be retaken, WITHOUT interference.

This from the Additional Instructions and Guidelines for 2008, issued by FIFA and USSF - which USSF referees are bound to follow:

Distance
If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is less than 9.15 m/10 yds from the ball intercepts it, the referee shall allow play to continue.
If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent near the ball deliberately prevents the taking of the kick, the referee shall caution the player for delaying the restart of play.

You are assigned to read the currently posted 2007 version of the Advice to Referees, another officially sanctioned document by USSF. Specifically, please read sections 13.1 thru 13.4 at a minimum.

And, please share your new knowledge with your refereeing brethren. Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Jerry, Law 13 clearly says the opponents are to be at least 10 yards away at the taking of a free kick and outlines what to do if they are not. While the coach is incorrect in referring to this as a foul it is clearly misconduct which should not be allowed and should be punished immediately.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The team taking the free kick is under no obligation to ask for ten yards HOWEVER it is MANDATORY that the opposition withdraw ten yards immediately, failure to do so is a clear violation of the restart cautionable show the yellow card for failing to respect the required 10 yard distance. It is not a foul it is a form of misconduct and listed in the 7 cautionable offences in law 12 and identified as a procedural necessity in law 13!
Cheers