Question Number: 26910

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/16/2012

RE: Indoor Adult

Kepy of Hagerstown, MD USA asks...

RE: Goalie Interference
Indoor League no Offsides.
For any free kick our team will position a player in front of the goalie, not touching him but more in a manner or obscure his view of the kick or otherwise vexing him with concern of that players position.
With the kick a ball may come fast at our own player or high in the air perhaps over their head.
Question is, that if our player maintains position or otherwise stands their ground establish before the kick, is there any cause for Goalie Interference to be called waving off the goal? (if an allowable goal was scored off the kick)
Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Refereeing Futsal myself, I've noticed that some indoor soccer centres can have a variety of their own rules applied, so I'm going to answer assuming that isn't the case.

That being so, I have no problem with an attacker standing in front of the keeper (same as in outdoor). It's when that player moves to block the path of the keeper, or makes distracting gestures to distract or block his view, then that's an issue.

The former can be penalised as impeding or charging, the latter would become unsporting behaviour (cautionable).

But as long as he stands there that's fine - I'd expect most keepers would try to get in front of the attacker, potentially leading to a bit of jostling - if the ball isn't play, then hold up the restart and have a quick word with the players involved before it escalates - the last thing you want is to be forced into a controversial decision moments after the ball has been put into play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Unfortunately, there is no single set of rules for indoor soccer. Moreover, in recreational play, many leagues emphasize protecting the goal keeper for circumstances that would not be called a foul at higher levels .

My experience, however, is that the attacker never remains still. When she moves (in adjustment to the flight of the ball) and hinders with the keeper's ability to see or play the ball, she will commit a foul.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
If the attacker stands in front of the goalkeeper in Futsal and does nothing there is no offence. It only becomes an offence when the attacker impedes or holds the goalkeeper back from playing the ball through movement. All players have a right to their position on the pitch and being in the way of an opponent is not the same as moving into the way of an opponent.
In Futsal a player may not impede the goalkeeper specifically or an opponent nor may a player distract an opponent at a kick in or a corner kick. In the confined space of indoor soccer it is very easy to impede so referees will pay particular attention to that.
Prior to 1997 a player was not allowed to dance about or gesticulate in a way calculated to distract their opponents. That was removed from the Laws in 1997 but many older referees still treat this as unsporting behaviour perhaps not with a caution but by asking players to refrain from same

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