Question Number: 30237

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/3/2016

RE: Adult

Christopher Clinton of Birmingham, Warwickshire United Kingdom asks...

Regarding back pass to goalkeeper.if he stops it with he's hand going in the net.is this dogso& red card

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Chris,
No!
A keeper can NOT be guilty of DOGSO-H via a handling violation within his own penalty area. The only offence the keeper is guilty of would be an INDFK for using the hands on a ball deliberately kicked to him by the teammate. This is but 1 of the 4 restrictions a keeper does have within his area. (Per LOTG outlining his restrictions of handling within his own penalty area) Can you think of the other three? There is NO caution required either!

IF this handling occurs OUTSIDE his own Penalty area and as a referee you determined that ball WOULD have entered the goal without his (DFK foul of Handles the ball deliberately per LOTG) intervention THEN you would show the red card send off the keeper reducing his team by a player because OUTSIDE his own penalty area he is under the SAME restrictions as the rest of his team!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The Laws specifically exempt the goalkeeper from ANY form of misconduct (caution or sendoff) when handling the ball in the penalty area. It doesn't matter if it's legal handling or illegal - no cards.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Chris
When the law makers introduced this law it specifically exempted the goalkeeper from being sent off or cautioned for touching the ball with his hand/s inside the penalty area. In other words it was introduced in a way so as to not sanction the goalkeeper doing the key task of using the hands inside the penalty area other than the IDFK. Outside the penalty area the GK is treated like any other player in respect of deliberate handling.