Question Number: 27146

Law 17 - Corner Kick 1/30/2013

RE: Select Other

KW of Concord, CA USA asks...

Regarding kicker coming in contact with a corner flag on a corner kick. If intentional, what is the restart? And is it simply referee discretion as to whether the contact is intentional or not?
Wondering if age consideration/ rec. vs. Select vs. Club are also items to consider. My situation was a U10 Select player during his kick used his arm and shoulder to contact the flag to seemingly improve his angle of where he wanted kick to be dirscted.
I blew the whistle and awarded a goal kick to opposing team, was wondering if restart was correct. Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi KW
Any infringement of Law 17 that is not specifically mentioned in the LotG results in a retake. So in this situation if deliberate play should be stopped, the player warned about the situation and the CK is retaken. If it is unintentional the referee could allow play to continue or deal with it by a dropped ball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4oUiPbR_yg
In this situation it could have been an IDFK for touching the ball twice (probably unseen) , a goal kick (as the ball went out of play) or a dropped ball. Referee went with a dropped ball which was uncontested and sportingly kicked out for a goal kick.
In these situation referees should also consider why it is was done and if it is intentional or not? Is the corner flag lying at an angle, restricting the kick? That should be dealt with in the pre match inspection of the field of play. If unintentional play can continue and the flag replaced at the next stoppage.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

When you saw the player grab the flag you should have blown the whistle. If you didn't have time to and the corner kick proceeded, the restart is a corner kick as it was not taken properly.
Also have a talk with the player. It should be noted that a properly positioned flag should not be in the way of a player taking a kick and should be repositioned before the retake.

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See Question: 27167