Question Number: 22984

Law 13 - Free Kicks 3/23/2010

RE: Pro

Scott Worthington of Huntington Beach, CA USA asks...

Hi,

I wonder what your opinion is regarding an episode in last month's Arsenal-FC Porto match, where the referee allowed a quick free kick inside the penalty area, resulting in an easy goal.

Clip here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvRXTawBNE0

Did the referee do anything wrong?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
The referee did nothing wrong in Law. Quick free kicks are part of the game and the team that has been offended against can take a free kick quickly if it is to its' advantage. However his management of the FK was not best practise and it has raised a lot of debate. Having said that many believe that it was naive defending by Arsenal that allowed both the IDFK to be awarded plus the defending of the quick free kick.
The issues I have with the particular situation were
1. The poor position of the referee to view the free kick plus the possibility of getting in the way of play.
2. Was the raised arm IDFK signal clearly made.
Those in themselves are not reasons to stop play or deny the goal.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The Arsenal team have only themselves to blame for this. First, the ball was going to the keeper and his teammate should never have kicked it. Second, there was a LOT of time between when the foul was obviously noticed and the referee gave the ball to FC Porto. Instead of whining and complaining, they should have been setting up for the impending Indirect Free Kick.