Question Number: 27556

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 6/25/2013

RE: Competitive Adult

Chris of Sydney, NSW Ausrtalia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26928

If a team declines the free kick as described by Referee Joe McHugh, how would you restart the game?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Chris
It would be indeed rare for a team to decline a free kick. However if a team did decline I would ask them to take the free kick and do what they wish with it which can include returning the ball to the opponents, kicking it out of play.
There has also been examples of players advising referees that they were not fouled and declining a penalty. As play has not restarted the referee can change his decision that there was no foul. He may take further advice on this from an AR to make the decision. In those instance the referee restarts with a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped.
If the referee insists on the penalty kick then the team must take the kick but it can be kicked back to the goalkeeper or kicked wide .

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I have seen teams do this rarely. One time I saw a game where the ball hit th post and went over the goal line. The referee made a mistake and awarded a Corner kick. The team intentionally kicked the corner kick over the goal line to correct the referee call and make it a goal kick. If it is a free kick...have the team kick it to the opponents. The only legal restart after a free kick is awarded is for the team to take the kick. How they kick it is up to them.