Question Number: 29851

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/25/2015

RE: Saturday league Adult

Declan Quibell of Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire United Kingdom asks...

Hello
Can a goalkeeper ask the ref if he's allowed to pick the ball up if he's not sure there was a deliberate pass back?

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Declan
Yes that is possible although it may be unlikely that the timing may allow a response. Generally when these situations occur the goalkeeper has little time to react. It is unlikely that there may be time for an answer or also the danger of misinterpretation. My advise to goalkeepers is that if there is a doubt then kick the ball away.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Declan,
chances are if the keeper is unsure, chances are the referee will not be seeking the death penalty here either. We are usual neutral, not anal, so if there is actually time and circumstances where a keeper can ask such a question I doubt the referee would feel the need to trick or cause him to use the hands if indeed he was not supposed to. A simple YES OK or NO DON'T! If you worry as a referee you are choosing sides here just say!, ' In my opinion, your team mate deliberately kicked it to you! '' as a statement of fact is not telling him what to do. In my opinion, there is no room for GOTCHA refereeing ! Raising the whistle to the lips making like you are ready to blow might also warn him off! Although I hate that! I try very hard NOT to raise a whistle to my lips unless I will blow it! Now with our offering an opinion of how we might do it, if the keeper has the least doubt, best to kick it away! You will want to avoid a whistle happy gotcha referee.!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Declan,

The keeper can certainly do that. The referee isn't under any particular obligation to answer, although I can't imagine why a referee wouldn't answer. I would argue that the referee definitely should answer this question!

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

See Question: 29858