Question Number: 20146

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 10/4/2008

RE: Middle School Team Under 14

Faith Malencia of Hermitage, PA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14266

Should it be considered a goal if the keeper has caught the ball over his head but is then run into by the opposing team, losing possession. The other team then kicks the ball into the goal & it is counted as a goal. Is this not considered roughing the keeper? Should the goal have counted?
Thanks for any info you can give. It's not going to change the outcome of the game, but it's always good to know the rules should it happen again.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the referee on the field of play saw what you describe and decided that no foul had been committed, then this is a valid goal. Apparantly that's what happened. Soccer is a contact sport and not every instance of contact is due to foul play. That said, without having seen the incident it is impossible to comment as to whether the call (or no call), was correct.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If the goalkeeper had possession, the other team can no longer challenge for the ball, even if the goalkeeper has only had possession for a few seconds. The Advice to Referees says in section 12.16:

'While the ball is in the possession of the goalkeeper, it may not be challenged for or played by an opponent in any manner. An opponent who attempts to challenge for a ball in the possession of the goalkeeper may be considered to have committed a direct free kick foul. However, a ball which is only being controlled by the goalkeeper using means other than the hands is open to otherwise legal challenges by an opponent. The referee should consider the age and skill level of the players in evaluating goalkeeper possession and err on the side of safety.'

Given the age level and usual skill level in middle school soccer, the referee could certainly have called a charging foul and awarded a direct free kick to the goalkeeper's team. However, the referee may have determined the goalkeeper did NOT have possession, in which case there was no call to be made, unless the charging was done in an unfair or unsafe manner - again a decision for the referee.

There is no foul in soccer called 'roughing the keeper' but the keeper does have certain protections - most especially when in possession of the ball. The younger and/or less skilled teams are, the more aggressively the referee should call contact which appears unfair or unsafe.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Keepers with the ball in their hands are not legal to be challenged never mind being run over. An indfk for preventing the keeper from releasing the ball unimpeded is weak, this sounds more like DFK as their is contact involved. Such action if it is perceived as a foul it is charging or pushing in a careless, reckless caution show yellow card or excessive fashion send off show red card.

That said a referee of the match allowed the action to result in a goal. Not being there to see the event we bend to his will that it was correct because that is what neutral officials do! An opinion on a fact of play is not protestable. Referee decisions, good or bad, they are correct for that day unless they actually miss apply the law.

Sometimes unavoidable contact occurs as in the keeper trying to reach over an opponent as the opponent is attempting to head the ball.

I do feel though keeper with arms outstretched are vulnerable and the opponent must exercise some care in the nature of any challenge.

Once the keeper has clear possession of ball in hand all opponents must attempt to pull out of any challenges to the best of their ability.

A keeper can generally reach three feet higher than an opponent can jump, which puts the onus on the opponent in a high challenge to so it safely.
Cheers