Question Number: 35738

Law 18 - Common Sense 10/4/2024

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

Hello,

one more special question please. :-)

The goalkeeper has the ball:

A. between the leg and ground
B. between the body and ground
C. between the leg and the body
D. between the legs above the ground

Can the opponent kick the ball?

Thank you very much!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
in theory the ball CAN be played but it would have to be in a manner not considered careless, reckless or excessive. To kick the ball when covered as the downed player is vulnerable with insufficient time to perhaps get possession or arise to continue play it likely is a DFK for kicking at the opponent. Safety is key

If they lie on the ball without making an effort to get up and play or the keeper to get a hand on it for too long. It could be seen as PIADM if the opposition are there but not willing to take a stab at it!

For example keeper or player is flat on the back, ball is trapped in between the knees/shins. You can not just kick him in the groin, but you could back heel or toe dig it out in a reasonable fashion.

If they are lying on top of the ball but not yet have their hands on it as in making a save same thing dig it out in a reasonable fashion. You can not come in like an express train and slide in underneath to poke it free. That is most definitely reckless possibly excessive.

Reasonable challenge suited to what is there. I recall two very similar incidents the defender falls, sitting on his butt, the ball trapped between his legs he tried to draw it back, the attacker kicked his ankle and thus a DFK was awarded in favour of the defender.
In the other incident the sitting defender had the ball trapped between
his legs tried to spin sideways the foot of the attacker was well placed and knocked the ball free. So no foul no PIADM play continued

There was a Mexican player who used to "bunny hop" with the ball between his legs past defenders. It was funny and effective but eventually deemed as PIADM if the defenders where there in playing distance as there was no way to kick at the ball without hitting the player.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
As the goalkeeper does not have control of the ball with the use of a hand it is the same as any other player in this position.
Generally a goalkeeper will move a hand towards the ball fairly quickly so if a hand can be put on the ball as set out in the Law there cannot be a challenge for the ball.
I personally think that when a goalkeeper is on top of the ball any kick if the ball is not cleanly available could be considered careless. Each situation will be different and it is a judgment call. Certainly none of the four positions prevents a challenge yet that can change in a heart beat with a hand moving on top of the ball or for that matter a ball coming loose to be played fairly.

Safety is key and in a messy situation with a goalkeeper on top of the ball I would err on the side of the goalkeeper getting control with a hand and therefore cannot be challenged.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Petr,

In each of these instances the GK can be challenged - though once they're touching it with their arm they cannot be. We do, of course, need to ensure the challenge is safe. That will vary depending on the age/grade of the player - it may be that anything more than a little poke at the ball could be enough to be a foul. If we're getting older, we can probably accept a little more force but a big swing at the ball is still likely to be a foul.