Question Number: 25025

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 5/29/2011

RE: competive Other

bill stone of easton, pa usa asks...

what is the restart for a dead ball foul when a direct kick is issued outside pently area and before kick is taken goal keeper pushes a player inside the box.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Anything that happens when the ball is already out of play cannot change the restart. Even if before the taking of a free kick there is another action that would have been a foul if the ball was in play, the restart remains the free kick.

The referee would need to decide if the foul-like action was misconduct or not. If so, the goalkeeper could be cautioned or sent off; if not, she should be made aware in no uncertain terms that her behavior is unacceptable and she will be on the ref's radar screen lest any more misbehavior occur.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bill
The push by the goalkeeper while the ball is out of play does not change the restart. It is still a direct free kick outside the penalty area. If the referee believes that the action by the GK merits a caution then the referee should not allow play to restart before he issues the card.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

A direct kick outside the penalty area. The ball is out of play. Doesn't matter what any player does anywhere, if the ball is out of play, the restart has to be the one commensurate with why the ball was out of play. In your case, the original direct free kick outside the penalty area.

The keeper that pushed the opponent way still be punished for misconduct; either a caution or send off if the push was made with excessive force.