Question Number: 25282

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 8/4/2011

RE: Rec/Competitive* College

Danny of Phoenix, Arizona United States asks...

If the Keeper has clear possesion of the ball and then stands up with the ball still between his hands, aren't all opposing players supposed to leave the box? or at least be X amount of feet away?

Reason I ask: Should this goal have counted? Im leaning towards no but i could be wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2KVzxq5KhY&feature=aso

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

When the keeper has possession of the ball, no opponent may interfere or hinder the keeper's release of the ball.

In the video, however, the opponent is behind the keeper, but does nothing that interferes with the keeper's release of the ball. The opponent waits to play the ball after the keeper has voluntarily released possession. The keeper simply erred, and the laws are not intended to protect players from their own mistakes.

This is a good goal, and the referee should do nothing to interfere with it.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Danny
The only time attacking players are required by law to leave the penalty area is on a goal kick or a defensive free kick. Attacking players can remain at all other times inside the penalty area. Also an opponent may not prevent the goalkeeper from releasing the ball into play. The goalkeeper here has made a fundamental error in assuming that there was no attacking player close to him. When he threw the ball down to the ground the ball was in play and the ball was available to be challenged for. So this was a perfectly good goal. You will even note the reaction of the GK which is not to look for a foul but to berate himself for allowing this to happen. I bet you it will be last time he will allow that.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If the player had knocked the ball out of the keeper's hands, the goal would not have counted. This occurred recently in the Women's World Cup in a game the US played. Solo had the ball resting on her outstretched hand and the opponent headed the ball off her hand without touching her and put the ball into the goal.

No goal and a caution. When the keeper has her hand on the ball, no one can challenge her for it, whether they touch her or not. But as soon as the keeper releases it into play, as happened in the clip you sent, the ball is live and can be played by any player - including the keeper (as long as she doesn't use her hands until the ball has touched another player).

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