Question Number: 34354

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/26/2021

RE: Ex class 1 referee Essex Adult

Terence Taylor of Mijas, Málag Spain asks...

Many times in a match especially near the end. The goalkeeper of the team winning the match will hold the ball for far longer than the 6 seconds allowed.
I have never seen a referee blow up for a free kick.
Is this something they just ignore.
I have counted 8, 10 and sometimes longer.seconds

Your thoughts please.

Ex ref and semi pro footballer

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Terence
Thanks for the question.
Unfortunately this is one of those laws that is not strictly enforced and goalkeepers abuse it taking way longer than technically allowed in the laws.

Teams have sort of become accustomed to this and they know it works both ways. I have only seen two situations in recent times where this offence has been punished with the IDFK and in one incident it caused an international furore between the US and Canada in a Womens Soccer Olympic Game where the Canadian GK was punished for holding the ball longer than the 6 seconds. The incident led to a penalty award for handling from the IDFK. The referee has not officiated at international level since that game!!

Now most referees wait until the GK gets to their feet and then determines if the GK is endeavouring to put the ball back into play without delay and within the spirit of the Law. It annoys me now to see goalkeepers go to ground for no reason other than they assume the time starts from when they get up which is not the case.
I have watched games looking at this aspect only and I have seen both sides take from one second up to 15 /20 plus to get the ball into play. It really only becomes an issue when a team is behind and the GK starts taking as much time out of the situation as they can. My experience is that verbal pressure from opponents usually results in a speed up. If the referee believes that the GK is abusing the spirit then the IDFK can and should be called yet few do it.

In all my years I never once called this yet I have incurred the wrath of teams that I felt that were time wasting by adding on for every second of the time lost. There is more time lost in tardy restarts such as throw ins, corner kicks, goal kicks that is ever lost in the extra seconds taken by goalkeepers holding the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Terrance,
yes at times it does seem the leniency extended is counter productive but 6 into 10 is not 6 into 20 0r 30 which become even more annoying. The ability to add time is something we do consider given time wasting during other game circumstances is quite common.

Have a gander at these questions dealing with the issues you raised but we answered earlier.
34249, 32975 & 32976.

Generally both teams get the indifference . We do allow the keeper some dust yourself off time after a save and have a good look as your team disperses before we expect that ball to be kicked or thrown back into active challangable play.

The referee can justifiable warn & signal to get on with it but once the warnings and bars are set, actions taken create dissent especially if a referee allows a team to badger him counting out loud etc.. The referee blows for one at 10 then the other will be screaming for 7 or 8. You could count out loud but again the other team will expect a whistle should it go over 6. As referee I simply say, Get a move on and move the whistle up towards the lips if the keeper is recalcitrant to not heed a friendly warning.

Offering up a goal scoring chance out of essentially nothing is irritating because the players should not be so jaded as to play stupid mind-games that are not necessary. 6 seconds was simply an easy way to allow the keeper to return a ball back into active play without being challenged. Hence all opponents should be mindful that their very presence in and around the keeper is reason for a referee to delay the start of the 6 seconds.

I have looked right at an obtuse keeper who thought he could basketball dribble the entire PA and said SERIOUSLY ?? Move it or loose it!
Done the exact same to an opponent who was shadowing the keeper as they complained about him not releasing the ball .
I looked right at the opponent SERIOUSLY ?? His 6 seconds will start when you get the hell away.
Cheers