Question Number: 35835

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/9/2024

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

This question is a follow up to question 35832

I'm not sure. I'd be interested in the criteria. I understand that it's up to the referee to decide. And there are no such things as criteria. I'd almost say that he has to kick him in the head or misses his head by 20 centimeters or less. :-)

I just found this article. It's eight years old, so I guess I'm mistaken that it's more benevolent now. So I'm changing my mind. It's the same. :-)

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10575459/should-overhead-goals-from-diego-costa-and-laurent-koscielny-have-stood

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
The Pro game is not always a good exemplar for the Laws of the Game.

Many grassroots players do not have the same skills, experience as full time players and a scissor kick executed in a grassroots game may have a much higher risk of injury than a pro game. So it is all relative.

Add in which is a comment in the article that spectators want to see the spectacular which many times is the bicycle kick goal the powers that be can want to limit disallowed goals for playing in a dangerous manner.

The game for a very long time has wanted to ensure that boots were kept down.
Have a look at this video
https://youtu.be/0h3-auK3rMA?si=w36XecvwMLJq2FoP

The restart was a corner kick. At grassroots this would have been a very serious incident as John Terry needed urgent medical attention on the field of play. That is rarely available at the lower levels of the game.

So for me a high boot that is close to a player’s head is a PIADM offence. Older Law book stated
**
A scissors or bicycle kick is permissible provided that, in the opinion of the referee, it is not dangerous to an opponent.
Playing in a dangerous manner involves no physical contact between the players. If there is physical contact, the action becomes an offence punishable with a direct free kick or penalty kick. In the case of physical contact, the referee should carefully consider the high probability that misconduct has also been committed.**

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Petr,

You're right that as it stands, there are no massively detailed, in depth criteria regarding overhead kicks. All we have is:

"A scissors or bicycle kick is permissible provided that it is not dangerous to an opponent."

So as is so often the case, it is up to the referee to decide, based on their best judgment, what is dangerous and what isn't. As the (somewhat sarcastic) saying goes, "That's why they pay us the big bucks."