Question Number: 20407

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/30/2008

RE: Competitive Under 15

Steven Antoni of Madison, CT USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 20389

The goalie certainly has a difficult job and in their focus on the ball, they can lose site of the attacking player - an aggressive keeper will often put themselves in postions where it is hard for them to protect themselves such as the ball they are jumping for - I have seen refs in good position still not make a call or give a caution for unsporting behavior - I have seen the goalie clearly control the ball - two hands grasp the ball and then be crashed by an attacker and get injured to need a trainer come onto the field to attend to her. When is it a foul/caution/ejection - If uncontrolled, this activity can certainly change the outcome of a match due to knocking out the goalie or at the very least compromising their ability to be 100% effective. Most teams do not have a deep bench of goal keepers.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

It is a cautionable offense when the attacker fouls the goalkeeper in a reckless manner. It becomes a send-off offense when the attacker fouls the keeper while using excessive force while trying to play for the ball (serious foul play), or engages in some sort of violent conduct (striking, kicking, stomping on, the keeper with no attempt to play the ball, are just a few examples).

What constitutes reckless and 'excessive force' and even violent conduct is up to the judgment of the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Yes a keeper has a tough job and he requires a referee aware and focused on the FAIR aspect of any challange he recieves or gives for that matter. While I agree that once a keeper is in a vunerable position the opposition MUST show some restraint in a fair challenge I recently had a keeper leap forward with raised knee into the back of an attacker as he jumped to grab a ball. His excuse I was going for the ball and my coach taught me to raise the knee to protect myself. The resulting PK and caution was most confusing to him and to his coach.
Cheers