Question Number: 28260

Law 5 - The Referee 3/16/2014

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

I have a June 2012 update to the advantage rule that is published by the USSF, specifically:
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Advice to Referees
June 2012

In giving examples of when to apply advantage, it has the following scenario.

'Scenario 3
Blue #23 performs a goal kick. The ball leaves the penalty area but is blown back toward the Blue goal. The Blue goalkeeper handles the ball but the ball continues into the goal. Advantage should be applied in this situation (the violation is a foul under Law 12 and would be covered under previous guidelines anyway). No advantage signal should be given and the goal should be counted.'

I have no problem with the result. However, isn't it wrong to say that the GK handling the ball is a foul, or even an infringement of Law 16?

If Blue #23 (who I assume isn't the GK) kicks the ball out of the penalty area & it's blown back in by the wind, the only person who can't touch it is Blue #23, so why would this be a foul or infringement?

Thanks in advance,

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Interesting question. This was a paper produced by USSF in respect of the change of interpretation on advantage. Up until that time USSF only recommended advantage on Law 12 offence. That is no longer the case and it can now apply to any of the Laws.
Now the question as framed relates I believe to the ball being deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper in which case the GK would not be allowed to touch the ball with his hands inside the penalty area under Law 12. While it is a deliberate kick and it goes to the GK it is IMO misdirected and as there was no intention to kick the ball to the GK there is no offence. I think the 'better' decision is that the ball was in play, touched legitimately by a 2nd player the goalkeeper so the goal is in order. No offence so no need for advantage to be played. Also if he was successful would an award of an IDFK be correct? It would not be in my opinion.
If the GK was the kicker then it is certainly a double touch infringement after the ball was put into play. As such that is an infringement of Law 16 and advantage can and should be played so a goal can be awarded.
Personally I don't like these YAGNI situations. How likely is it that referees will be confronted by this or if he is whether the game should be going ahead. I'd much rather see the throw in, free kick to the goalkeeper by a team mate examples being used then its much clearer and easily understood plus it could happen in a game. Those are definite deliberate kicks / throws to the GK that players know cannot be touched by the GK's hands.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The Law 12 offense is that a keeper may not handle a ball deliberately kicked by a teammate. I agree that one we can question how 'deliberate' is the kick when the ball that acts in such a strange manner. But, it was not miss kicked.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 28377