Question Number: 28143

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 1/29/2014

RE: Under 15

Scott of Livermore, CA USA asks...

Here is the scenario: There is a foul on the defending team about 20 yards from goal, and the ref sets the wall with a formal restart. A ball from another field rolls into the penalty area, and the keeper yells to the ref to hold up play. The ref doesn't hear the keeper and blows his whistle. The attacking team scores with the keeper holding the errant ball. Obviously the keeper made a mistake here, but the CR and the AR should share some responsibility for their lack of attention. Is there anyway within Law to call the goal back and redo the kick?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Scott,

Given that the ball has pulled the keeper out of position, and that the ball is right on the critical area of play, the errant ball would be considered to be interfering with play.

If it rolled on during play the restart would be a drop ball. Given that the FK took place after the outside interference occurred I think that's your avenue for a retake.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
The decision rests with the referee. If in his opinion the extra ball interfered with play before the kick was taken then the correct restart is a re-take of the free kick after the extra ball is removed.
If the extra ball interfered, while the ball was in play, then the referee stops play and restarts with a dropped ball from where the match ball was when play was stopped.
My opinion is that if the goalkeeper was holding the ball before the kick then that is sufficient interference and play should not have restarted. A retake would be the 'best' decision for the game.
Now there is also an argument that the goalkeeper should have 'ignored' the extra ball as it only interfered because he chose it to. Had he left the extra ball alone would it have made a difference to play?
There was an incident recently in a high level game where a player picked up an extra ball that was thrown on to the field of play. He subsequently threw the ball at a match ball inside the penalty area. The referee cautioned him and restarted with an IDFK inside the penalty area. The referee community was divided whether the game should have been stopped when the extra ball was spotted, whether it was a penalty kick or an IDFK. The referee's decision on the day was all that counted.
The real learning point is that prevention is always better than cure.