Question Number: 23223

Law 14 - Penalty kick 4/30/2010

RE: All Other

Todd of Houston, TX USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23197

Why is this a matter of opinion? Don't the Laws clearly state that if a defender infringes the laws of the game after the whistle, and the result of the kick is that the ball goes in the net, the restart is a kickoff?

If the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and, before the ball is in play, one of the following occurs:
...
The goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game:
? the referee allows the kick to be taken
if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee must decide whether the defender has infringed Law 14. The correct restart is a kick off if the referee decides the defender has not (any movement by the keeper was doubtful or trifling); and a retake if the defender has.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Todd,

The laws of the game instruct referees to not make a big issue out of trifling infringements of the law. For instance, if the keeper comes slightly off the line and that doesn't appear to impact play then referees tend to turn a blind eye. As with all things, each referee's tolerance level varies.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Todd
It is a matter of opinion because the ball did not enter the goal directly from the penalty kick and the referee has to decide whether to halt play or not. As you know a lot can and does happen after the rebound.
The signal by the AR has drawn the referee's attention that something is amiss and he may whistle instantly, which is a retake
My advice was that once the goal is scored in this circumstance is to allow it. However the referee still needs to check for the reason for the signal.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Apples and oranges, dear.

In the previous scenario, the ball did not enter the goal directly from the PK. It was saved by the keeper, and the rebound went back to the kicker, who then put it in the goal. In this situation, the referee will check to see what the AR has in the way of information, but if it is only that the keeper jumped out a little early, we allow the goal.

If the ball did not enter the goal directly from the PK or on any rebound, and the AR provides information to the referee that the keeper's movement off the line directly impacted play, then the referee should act on that information and order a retake of the PK.

The referee team should have a discussion in the pre-game about PK's, the ARs' responsibilities and how the AR should respond. Some referees do not wish for the AR to make a judgment on early keeper movement, and that should be honored by the AR. Others will ask for this assistance with the caveat that the movement needs to be significant, early and impacts the play.