'Questions and Answers'

This page has taken me many months to put together, and contains lots of questions and answers that I the Webmaster hope will help you understand and interpret the Laws of Associated Football. (a) Questions about Law 12. (b) Queries about my interpretation of Law 12. (c) Your own interpretation of the questions are posed below.

Happy whistling to you all - from the Webmaster  

Question 1: How is a Referee supposed to decide what is a foul under the auspices of Law 12, and what is not a foul. He would have to be a mind reader to know the intentions going through a player's mind before he makes each tackle - and whether a tackle was done deliberately or not?

Answer 1: The word 'intention' was deleted from the Laws in 1996/1997. It was thought inappropriate since the introduction of the terms "Careless and Reckless" into the Laws in 1995/1996. The use of the words 'careless and 'reckless' in Law 12 were included to allow Referees to interpret situations easier - but some Referees had problems with specific incidents involving deliberate acts that were not initially considered dangerous, but could have been considered reckless or careless. (For example, when a player commits a scissors kick when there are no other players near, but then a swiftly advancing opponent very nearly gets kicked in the head). Weather conditions may also produce a dangerous situation where a player is neither careless nor reckless. Law 12 now includes the terms 'careless, reckless or using excessive force' when players commit an offence. Apart from acts of simulation and handball, the word 'intention' is no longer used in the Laws to gauge whether a foul is a foul or not! In other words, Referees no longer asked to consider intention - it is either a foul or it is not a foul.

Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct offences are mostly committed by a player, against an opponent whilst the ball is in play, and normally committed on the field of play. (Although there are one or two situations that can occur off the field of play, such as when the ball remains in play very near the touchline, but a player is fouled when he has traveled just outside the touchline following a misjudged 'follow-through' tackle which takes both players outside of the touchline - where illegal contact is then initially made). Deliberate handball is the only exception that is not committed against a particular opponent, but against the opposing team.

The word 'deliberate' (in the sense of deliberately committing a foul) also no longer features in the wording of Law 12. It is impossible for a Referee to judge whether a player commits a foul deliberately or whether a player intentionally sets out to kick, charge, push, trip, hold or impeded an opponent. The new wording 'careless, reckless or using excessive force' makes it much easier for a Referee to make a judgment based upon what the player actually does (and not whether it was done deliberately or intentionally). The Referee can then make his decision based upon the player's action, and not upon what the Referee thinks was in the player's mind.

Question 2: If whilst the ball remains in play inside the penalty area, and when a defender and an attacker both travel over the goal line near the ball and out of the field of play - the defender holds the attacker back beyond the goal line to prevent him from re-entering the field of play - should the Referee award a penalty kick to the attacking team?

Answer 2: No. The Referee should stop play and caution the defender for unsporting behavior. The correct restart is a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when the Referee stopped play. A penalty kick can only be awarded when a defender commits a penal offence inside the penalty area. In this instance, the defender committed the offence off the field of play; therefore, a penalty kick cannot be awarded.

Question 3: If whilst the ball is still in play, a defender standing inside his own penalty area strikes the Referee - what action should the Referee take?

Answer 3: The Referee should stop play and send the defender off for violent conduct. Play should be restarted with an indirect free kick to the attacking team to be taken from the place where the defender committed the violent offence against the Referee.

Question 4: An attacker shoots the ball towards goal. Just as the ball is about to enter the goal, a defending full back standing in his own goal area, and holding his shin guard, uses the shin guard to prevent the ball from entering the goal. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 4: The Referee should award a penalty kick to the attacking team. The shin guard is regarded as an extension of the defender's hand. The defender should be sent off for preventing a goal being scored. If in the above situation, a goal is subsequently scored after the ball hits the shin guard, the defender should be cautioned for deliberate handball - and not sent off.

If in the above situation, the goalkeeper is the one who uses his shin guard to prevent the ball entering the goal, the shin guard is again regarded as an extension of the goalkeeper's hand - albeit an illegal extension. The correct restart here is to award an indirect free kick to the attacking team. The indirect free kick should be taken from the place where the infringement occurred. If it occurred inside the goal area, then the free kick should be taken from that part of the goal area line that runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. The goalkeeper should be cautioned for unsporting behavior.

Question 5: What action should the Referee take when a defender taking a goal kick, kicks the ball outside of his penalty area to his goalkeeper (who is just outside the penalty area), the goalkeeper then dribbles the ball back inside the penalty area and picks it up?

Answer 5: In this instance, the goalkeeper has touched the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate. It does not matter whether a colleague has deliberately kicked the ball to the goalkeeper during a goal kick or in open play. This is still an infringement of Law 12. The correct restart is an indirect free kick to the attacking team - to be taken at the spot where the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hands inside the penalty area.

A direct free kick should be awarded if the goalkeeper picks the ball up outside of his penalty area.

Question 6: Whilst the ball is still in play - what action should the Referee take, if a direct free kick offence is committed by a defender on an attacker, right on top of the defender's own penalty area line. Should the Referee award a direct free kick or a penalty?

Answer 6: The lines on the field of play are part of the boundaries that they encompass. The Referee should therefore award a penalty kick to the attacking team. If an offence is committed on top of any line, it is deemed to be committed inside the area that the line surrounds.

Similarly: An offence committed on the touchline or goal line - is committed in the field of play. A throw in comes into play as soon as the ball is thrown back "over, on, or along" the touchline. An offence committed on the goal area line - is committed inside the goal area. If an opponent is standing on the center circle line before a place kick has taken place, then he is deemed to be standing inside the center circle, and should move outside of it before the place kick can be legally taken.

A player standing on top of the penalty arc line should move outside of it, before a penalty can be legally taken. A ball placed on top of the corner flag quadrant circle is deemed to be inside the quadrant area.

The only line where some confusion exists is the halfway line. The halfway line is the boundary for both halves of the field of play, and it can be argued that an attacker standing on top of the halfway line, is deemed to be standing either inside his opponents half or standing inside his own half. As the benefit of any doubt is now given to the attacker during offside decisions, an attacker standing directly on top of the halfway line should not be penalized when Referees make offside decisions.

The same philosophy can be adopted for players standing on the halfway line when they take a place kick at the start of the match (and following a goal scored against them). Law 8 states that before a place kick can be taken, all players must be standing inside their own half. Standing on the halfway line during a place kick should be deemed to be standing in your own half. Most players and Referees allow this anyway.

Question 7: Just exactly what is dangerous play?

Answer 7: Committing dangerous play is not by itself an offence (for example completing a scissors kick when no other player is near). A dangerous act becomes dangerous when in the opinion of the Referee, the action (a) is dangerous to an opponent, (b) the action was committed with an opponent very close by, and (b) the dangerous nature of the action caused the opponent to falter in his play, and was thus unfairly disadvantaged.

The key is that "dangerous" in the Laws refers to the potential for danger. The Direct Free Kick fouls include actually delivering (or attempting to deliver) contact of some sort. Dangerous play recognizes the potential danger to an opponent, and the award of an Indirect Free kick is a way of causing the opponent to modify his/her play to maintain safety. (Thanks to Karl Arps for the above excellent paragraph description of dangerous play.)

Players would not normally be cautioned for dangerous play (unless the dangerous play is the culmination of a number of other persistent fouls committed by the same player). However, if a player continues to play in an uncontrolled and dangerous manner, the Referee may caution him for "unsporting behavior".

The Referee should stop play when a dangerous act adversely effects the progress of an opponent who will normally cease challenging for the ball in order to avoid receiving or causing injury as a direct result of the other player's dangerous action. Because fouls (dangerous play) may only be committed only against opponents - playing in a manner considered to be dangerous when only a teammate is nearby is not actually a foul. Contact is not necessary for dangerous play to be penalized - on the contrary if contact does occur during a dangerous play situation, the Referee can penalize the more serious foul of kicking, studs-up, tripping, illegal charging etc.

An indirect free kick is awarded when a player, 'plays in a dangerous manner'. Dangerous play by defenders in their own penalty area against an opponent is penalized by an indirect free kick and not a penalty. The Referee is the sole judge as to exactly what constitutes dangerous play. Football is a contact sport, and the Laws allow players to compete without danger to them - so long as they respect the letter and the 'spirit of the Laws'. The Referee judges the question of danger as it happens, and the question of danger rests entirely on his opinion.

Goalkeepers are very often exposed to dangerously challenges and kicks - Referees will normally attempt to provide the goalkeeper with special protection against such challenges and are more likely to penalize an attacker for dangerous play when the collision involves the goalkeeper. This is an accepted modern part of the game that has without doubt prevented many very serious injuries to goalkeepers.

The following are examples of what may constitute 'dangerous play:

(a) Tackling with one foot lifted from the ground.

This action is not always considered dangerous - players very often use the sole of their foot as an effective means of controlling a ball passed to them. If the Referee feels that a player has raised his foot, and this action endangers an opponent, then the Referee should stop play immediately and award an indirect free kick against that player. If a player contesting for the ball, purposefully goes over the top of the ball with his foot and makes contact with an opponent's leg - this is serious play (direct free kick) and not dangerous play (indirect free kick). European Referees are very particular about penalizing players for tackling with one high foot. Referees in England are less particular, and will only penalize players if there is a definite danger to opponents. The most common instance when the Referee will penalize players for dangerous play, is when a player lifts his foot very high in the air in an attempt to kick the ball which is very near an opponent's face. Players are normally receptive to this type of protection from the Referee. Players kicking the ball with their foot going above their waist are not by itself dangerous. It is only dangerous if there is another player who almost gets kicked in the face (or body) when the ball is kicked in such a manner.

(b) Tackling with two feet together.

A two footed tackle made from a short distance away, does not always pose a danger to an opponent, because the ball itself acts as a natural cushion between the players. When the 'two footed' tackle is made from some distance in an uncontrolled manner when attempting to make contact with the ball (or not) - certainly entails a large element of danger to the opponent. Such tackles are reckless and will certainly incur the wrath of the opposing team if they are allowed to go unpunished. Two footed tackles should be penalized with the award of a direct free kick (or penalty kick) - this is more of a 'jumping' penal offence, as opposed to the less serious offence of dangerous play.

(c) Tackling by sliding.

With the advent of the Law 12 change in season 1998/1999 where 'a tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play' - the use of the slide tackle has lessened dramatically. A slide tackle carried out with one or both legs outstretched can be allowed - but not if committed from behind. A player making a slide tackle from some distance can be construed as being dangerous, and if contact is made with an opponent, then there is a large element of danger to the opponent. A player making a slide tackle from some distance knows that if he misses the ball, he may bring down his opponent. If he does bring down his opponent, then this is a tripping offence (direct free kick) and not dangerous play (indirect free kick). Slide tackles can be allowed if made from the side and contact is made cleanly with the ball and not the player. An indirect free kick should be awarded when a slide tackle is made from some distance, and the tackler makes no contact with the ball or the player, but his action constitutes a potential danger to the opponent. Opponents are very adept at riding tackles (jumping over sliding tackles) - this does not mean that the Referee should ignore such tackles. The Referee can allow 'advantage' when sliding tackles do not contact or affect the flow of play for the opposing team. Of course, the Referee should have a strong word (or caution) the perpetrator at the next convenient moment. A player committing a sliding tackle with the sole purpose of inflicting damage on an opponent (even if he makes contact with the ball first) can be construed as 'serious foul play' and punished by a 'sending-off' depending on the severity of the tackle. I have seen many occasions when players who are looking for retribution, make violent sliding tackles against opponents, in the hope that the Referee will allow such action as part of the game itself. Be aware of players exacting this punishment on opponents. Serious foul play is "serious foul play" so do not be duped into thinking that such action can be masked by players attempting revenge within the Laws of the Game - because it does not exist - and is not allowed. A Referee who allows such action to go unpunished will quickly lose control of a match - players will very quickly realize that they can make serious fouls without worrying about being punished by the weak Referee.

Note: Tripping does not necessarily have to be instigated by the use of a foot. Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent includes situations were a player uses his body to unbalance or upend an opponent. Referees must carefully distinguish between the act of accidentally tripping from that of being deliberately tripped by an opponent. Deliberate tripping or attempting to trip is an offence, if it is clearly directed at an opponent and causes the opponent to falter or fall. Players may trip over themselves, or accidentally fall over an opponent as a result of natural play - and in these instances - no infringement of the Law has been committed.

(d) Tackling from behind.

A tackle from behind is not inherently illegal. Before the 1998 World Cup in America, Law 12 was changed for season 1998/1999 to state that "a tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play". During the 1998 World Cup, almost every player committing a tackle from behind was sent-off, irrespective of the severity or execution of each tackle. Referees are now more likely to only send-off when such tackles are done recklessly or using excessive force. Tackles from behind are carried out through a player's legs or through a player's legs, or around a player's legs. The Referee is the sole judge as to whether a tackle from behind is illegal or not. If the ball is played without the player touching an opponent's legs first, this can be allowed, so long as the tackle is not deemed by the Referee to be dangerous. For example, if two opponents are standing very close together, there is nothing to stop one of the players tapping the ball away whilst standing immediately behind his opponent who has the ball just in front of him. For a tackle from behind to be illegal, the tackling player normally either makes contact with the player before he makes contact with the ball or the tackle endangered (or potentially endangered) the safety of the player being tackled. Making contact with the opponent after touching the ball while performing a tackle does not necessarily mean that a foul has not been committed. All tackles from behind made from distance should be penalized with the award of a direct free kick (or penalty kick if committed by a defender in his own penalty area). An illegal tackle from behind includes when the tackling player makes contact with the ball first, and then strongly follows through with his second foot/leg thus upending and potentially injuring his opponent. It is also perfectly possible during a tackle made from behind, to make contact with the ball first and then follow up with a foul that can break a player's leg. The fact that a player makes contact with the ball first does not make a tackle from behind legal. On the contrary, players who loudly plead this case inevitably feel guilty and are trying to sway the Referee's judgment on the severity and legality of the tackle. Players illegally tackling from behind should always be cautioned at the very least! And red-carded if done in a way that is reckless or using excessive force or endangers the safety of the player being tackled.

(e) The "Scissors" kick.

The very best goals ever scored emanate from execution of this very difficult and exciting maneuver. Players attempting a 'scissors' kick can put an opponent's head at risk. The 'scissors' kick is normally done within the penalty area where there are likely to be other players in the near vicinity of the kicker. A 'scissors' kick entails the kicker lifting his feet very high in the air to project the ball backward from the direction he is facing. A 'scissors' kick is not an offence in itself - it is only dangerous when the kicker's feet come into close proximity with another player's face when the kick is being executed. The Referee according to the situation in which the scissors kick is being performed must judge the danger. If there are no other players near, then the 'scissors' kicker should not be penalized - as he has not committed dangerous act.

(f) Dangerous play against the goalkeeper.

When a goalkeeper has gained possession of the ball in his hands, opponents should not attempt to challenge him, or block his momentum as he attempts to release the ball back into play. It can be most annoying when players try to block the goalkeepers path by moving to and fro in front of him, or by lifting a foot in front of the goalkeeper whilst he is attempting to punt the ball up field. An indirect free kick should be awarded to the goalkeeper if an opponent infringes him upon in this manner. Law 12 states that an indirect free kick is to be awarded if an opponent prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands. Another form of dangerous play is when the ball is fired towards the goalkeeper, and an attacker dangerously challenges the goalkeeper (or attempts to kick the ball powerfully) when the goalkeeper has dived along the floor and gained possession of the ball with his hands - these incidents can be very dangerous for the goalkeeper.

(g) Dangerous play by the goalkeeper.

Goalkeepers have a nasty habit when an attacker is approaching nearby, of purposefully raising one of their boots when coming out to catch a high ball. This is supposed to be a warning by the goalkeeper to the attacking player "not to come too near again when challenging for the ball". This is a dangerous act by the goalkeeper and should be punished by an indirect free kick to the attacking team. Nevertheless, this infringement is very rarely given against a goalkeeper. The Referee should at the very least have a strong word with the goalkeeper at the next suitable opportunity - to warn him about using such dangerous foot raising tactics when an opponent is close by. If the goalkeeper commits this act again (after being warned by the Referee) then the Referee has no option but to caution the goalkeeper for dangerous play and award an indirect free kick to the attacking team. If all Referees stamped down on such behavior, then it would not happen - goalkeepers would soon get the message!

Question 8: If a goalkeeper who has had possession of the ball in his hands for 6 seconds, is just about to punt the ball up the field, when an attacker runs in front of the goalkeeper and prevents release of the ball, shouldn't the Referee penalize the goalkeeper for holding on to the ball for too long, and award an indirect free kick to the attacking team?

Answer 8: Certainly not. The attacking player committed the offence. Law 12 states that an indirect free kick is to be awarded if an opponent prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands. The goalkeeper should not be penalized for being prevented in releasing the ball by an infringement committed on him by an opponent. The goalkeeper has the right to release the ball without being obstructed by an opposing player.

Question 9: If a player commits a sending off or a caution able offence during the half time period, what action should the Referee take?

Answer 9: The half-time interval is considered to be part of the game time itself. If a player commits a sending off offence, he should be sent from the field of play. The player being sent off is not allowed to be replaced (i.e. the team will start the second half consisting of 10 players).
If a player commits a caution able offence (such as dissent) during the half-time interval, that player should be cautioned as if the incident occurred during any other time in the game. The Referee should show the red and yellow card respectively when dealing with misconduct during the half-time interval.

Question 10: If whilst the ball is still in play, a goalkeeper standing inside his own penalty area, forcefully and purposefully throws his fist) into the face of an opponent who is standing just outside of the goalkeeper's penalty area - what action should the Referee take?

Answer 10: The Referee should send off the goalkeeper for violent conduct. Play should be restarted with a direct free kick to the opponent's side, to be taken from the place where the offence occurred (i.e. where the fist struck or would have struck the opponent).

When a player strikes an opponent with the use of any part of his body (fist, head, leg, boot, elbow etc.). The restart should also be taken from the place where the strike lands, and not from the place where the strike was made from. For example, if a goalkeeper (or any other player) standing just inside his own penalty area strikes an opponent who is standing outside of the penalty area, the restart is a direct free kick to the opponent's team to be taken from outside of the penalty area (and not a penalty kick).

The point of impact is important in judging where a 'punch throwing' incident took place. This illustrates the principle of penalizing where the contact actually happens, and not where it was initiated.

For example:

(a) If a goalkeeper is standing in his penalty area or on the line, leans out to catch the ball outside the penalty area, he commits an offence, which can be penalized with a direct free kick. If he was standing outside and reached in the area to catch the ball, there would be no offence.

(b) If a defender slid into a tackle and made contact with an opponent before the ball, he would be penalized, and the game restarted from the point where the contact was made - not where the player began the sliding tackle.

Question 11: While the ball is in play a player standing inside his own penalty area throws an object at an opponent standing outside the penalty area. What action does the Referee take?

Answer 11: He stops play and sends off the player who threw the object for violent conduct. Play is restarted by a direct free kick to the opponents' team taken from the place where the offence occurred, i.e. where the object struck or would have struck the opponent. (FIFA Site Law 12. Q18)

Question 12: Whilst the ball was still in play, a defending player standing inside his own penalty area spits at an opponent who is positioned outside of the penalty area, what action should the Referee take?

Answer 12: The guilty player must be dismissed and shown the red card and a penalty kick awarded to the attacking team as the offence was initiated from within the penalty area. The case of spitting at an opponent is the offence. The punishment for spitting applies to where it was carried out and does not depend on it landing on an opponent.

Question 13: What action should the Referee take against a substitute who throws an object (e.g. a shoe) at a player of the opposing team who is on the field of play and is at that moment playing the ball?

Answer 13: The Referee shall stop the game, send the substitute off and resume the game by dropping the ball at the place it was when play was stopped, unless it was within the goal-area at that time, in which case it shall he dropped on that part of the goal-area line which runs parallel to the goal-Iine at the point nearest to where the ball was when play was stopped. He must report this incident to the responsible authorities. The substitute will not be allowed to take part in the match. (FIFA)

Question 14: If following an argument between team mates, one of the players decides that he has 'had enough', and permanently leaves the field play claiming that he is injured and cannot continue (when this is obviously not the case) - is there anything that the Referee can do?

Answer 14: In such an instance as this, the Referee cannot make a judgment as to whether a player is injured or not. If the player says he cannot continue because of an injury, then the Referee has no option but to allow that player to leave the field of play without being penalized. Although simulating action (faking or exaggerating an injury) can be construed as a caution able offence (Decision 6 Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct), the Referee is not advised to take disciplinary action against this supposed outgoing injured player! The letter of the law should caution a player who enters or leaves the field of play without the Referee’s permission cautioned - however in this case it would not be in keeping with the 'spirit of the game'. Just let the player leave and get on with the game.

Question 15: Is there any situation where an opponent is denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity, when the perpetrator is not sent-off? For example, what action should the Referee take if the eleventh team player arrives late after the game has commenced, and then enters the field of play without notifying the Referee. At the precise moment that this eleventh player enters the field of play in his own penalty area, an opponent kicks the ball in the direction of the empty goal. The eleventh player then manages to stop the ball with his foot just before it travels over the goal line and denies his opponents an obvious goal.

Answer 15: Law 12 clearly states that a player should be sent-off if he " denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's own goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick". In this instance, the opponent who kicked the ball towards the goal had not been interfered within any way, so it would be very difficult to justify sending- off the oncoming eleventh player for deflecting the ball away from the goal. I believe that the wording "punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick" applies only to those fouls and misconduct listed under Law 12 Direct and Indirect free kick infringements, for example, kicking, tripping, pushing, impedance, handling etc.... in this instance, the eleventh player did not commit any of these offences. Coming onto the field of play without the Referees permission is punishable by a caution and the award of an indirect free kick to the opposition (Law 3), to be from the place where the ball was when the Referee stopped play. It could therefore be argued that as the offence of coming onto the field of play is punishable by the award of an indirect free kick, then if the words "punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick" are taken literally, the eleventh player could be justifiably sent-off. The Laws are not clear as to which action by the Referee is the correct action. I believe Law 18 Common sense dictates that the eleventh player should be cautioned, and the match restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

Other dubious (preventing an obvious - or not so obvious! goal scoring opportunity) instances for your consideration are:

(a) When a goalkeeper who has released the ball at his feet, purposefully picks it up again to prevent an oncoming nearby challenging attacker gaining possession and shooting towards goal. Should the Referee Send off the goalkeeper for denying a goal scoring opportunity and restart with an indirect free kick, or should the Referee just give the goalkeeper a caution and restart with an indirect free kick for touching the ball a second time after it has been released??????

(b) When a goalkeeper receiving the ball direct from a throw-in taken by a teammate, has to dive and palm the ball away from entering the goal. - and thus prevents an oncoming nearby attacker from making contact with the ball and shooting towards goal. Should the Referee Send off the goalkeeper for denying a goal scoring opportunity and restart with an indirect free kick, or should the Referee just give the goalkeeper a caution and restart with an indirect free kick for touching the ball after it has been received directly from a throw-in taken by a team mate?

I suppose it could be argued that had the throw-in entered the goal directly without touching any other player, then a corner kick would be awarded. BUT.... On the other hand, Law 12 clearly states that an indirect free kick is to be awarded if the goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands after he has received it direct from a teammate. So an offence "punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick" had been committed, and had prevented an opponent from an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
Send off or just an indirect free kick??????

Question 16: Just exactly what parts of the body is a player allowed to use to legally pass the ball back to his own goalkeeper, before the goalkeeper is penalized for subsequently touching the ball.

Answer 16: This is commonly known as 'the back-pass Law'. Law 12 states that a goalkeeper is penalized with the award of an indirect free kick against him, if (inside his own penalty area) he touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately 'kicked' to him by a teammate. 'Kicked' means if the ball was deliberately passed to his goalkeeper by a teammate using any part of his foot (or shin). The goalkeeper should not be penalized if he touches the ball after it has been passed to him by a teammate using any other part of his body, for example, knee, thigh, chest, head or shoulder - and in these instances, the Referee should allow play to continue. For a goalkeeper to be penalized during a back-pass, the ball must be played by a team-mate's foot (or shin), it must be played back deliberately by that team-mate, and the goalkeeper must touch the ball with his hands. Note, that the direction that the ball travels is immaterial, a back-pass means that the ball is deliberately passed back to the goalkeeper - and not that the ball must travel in a backward direction to the goalkeeper!

In some instances, a defender attempting to kick a ball away from his penalty area will inadvertently deflect the ball towards his goalkeeper. In such cases the goalkeeper MAY use his hands if the ball comes to him - because the defender did not deliberately kick the ball back to the goalkeeper. The Referee is the sole judge as to whether a back-pass is deliberate or not. Referees are advised to be 100 percent certain before penalizing for a back-pass.

If a team-mate seeks to circumvent the spirit of the 'back-pass law' by purposefully flicking the ball up in the air and subsequently heading the ball back to his goalkeeper, then if the goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands, the goalkeeper should still be penalized, even though the team-mate last touched the ball with his head. In this instance, circumventing the spirit of the 'back-pass law' should not be allowed, and an indirect free kick to the opposing team should always be awarded. The same goes, if a teammate taking a goal kick, kicks the ball outside of the penalty area to his goalkeeper who subsequently dribbles the ball back inside of his penalty area and then picks it up. In this instance, the goalkeeper is still guilty of touching the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate. It does not matter whether a colleague during a goal kick or during open play has deliberately kicked the ball to the goalkeeper. This is still an infringement of Law 12. The correct restart is an indirect free kick to the attacking team.

A direct free kick should be awarded if the goalkeeper picks the ball up outside of his penalty area.

Question 17: If a goalkeeper, who has caught the ball by cradling it in his arms, accidentally drops the ball out of his arms and onto the floor, is the goalkeeper allowed to pick the ball up again without being penalized?

Answer 17: Law 12 states that the goalkeeper is not allowed to touch the ball again with his hands after if has been released from his possession and has not touched another player. In this case, the Referee must decide whether the ball was accidentally dropped or deliberately released by the goalkeeper. If the Referee believes that possession of the ball was lost because the goalkeeper had mishandled the shot, then the Referee should allow play to continue - if the goalkeeper subsequently picks up the ball again. If the Referee is unsure whether the goalkeeper dropped the ball deliberately or dropped the ball intentionally, then the Referee should allow the goalkeeper the benefit of the doubt, and allow play to continue. The goalkeeper should only be penalized if the Referee thinks that he purposefully released the ball, and then picked it up a second time.

Question 18: If a goalkeeper in his own penalty area holds the ball in his hands for more than six seconds, what action should the Referee take?

Answer 18: The Referee should stop play and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the place where the goalkeeper was standing when the six-second time limit expired. If the goalkeeper was standing in his goal area, then the free kick should be taken from that part of the goal area line that runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred.

Question 19: In a recent U14 match, the goalkeeper made a dive for the ball that bounced off the side post. While on the ground, the keeper made an effort to scramble for the ball and reached out for it, maybe touching the side (not the top) of the ball with one hand. The attacker got to the ball at the same time and hit the ball into the net. What, in your opinion, is "control of the ball"? I am all for protecting the keeper from dangerous challenges, but the Referee explained to me that he has possession even if he has a pinkie finger or even an elbow contacting the ball. Please help me understand this?

Is an attacking player allowed to kick for the ball if the goalkeeper has attempted to dive on the ball, but is not yet in control of the ball?

Answer 19: Although goalkeepers must be especially protected by Referees, an attacking player is allowed to challenge for the ball and may attempt to play the ball as long as it is not in possession of the goalkeeper - providing that (in the opinion of the Referee) the challenge on the goalkeeper is not dangerous (reckless, careless or using excessive force).

A goalkeeper is considered to have possession of the ball if he has the ball trapped on the ground with as little much as one finger on the ball.

A goalkeeper has possession of the ball, and should not be challenged anytime that he has a part of his body (hand, fingertip, chest, nose, etc.) in contact with the ball (this does not include when the goalkeeper has the ball at his feet when he is fair-game to a challenge by an attacking player).Whether or not the goalkeeper has possession of the ball or not, any significant contact by an attacker on the goalkeeper may be deemed a foul. Any attempt by an attacker to kick the ball whilst it is in possession of the goalkeeper would be a foul. One of the Referees responsibilities is to keep the game safe and to especially protect the vulnerable goalkeepers.

However, if a goalkeeper is not actually touching the ball, then the ball becomes fair game for an attacking opponent, so long as the opponent is not guilty of dangerous play (For example, placing his leg and boot near the goalkeepers face).

Possession of the ball means having control of the ball. The Referee decides whether a goalkeeper has possession of the ball or not. The easiest way to define this is to understand that possession is not determined by the amount of body mass that the goalkeeper has to use on the ball, in order for it to be in his possession. He can use one finger, two fingers, one hand, two hands or his whole body to gain possession of the ball.

The difficulty that the Referee has is in deciding the exact moment when a diving goalkeeper actually has possession of the ball. This can be very difficult to define, when both an attacking player and the goalkeeper are stretching for the ball and make contact at virtually the same time. Considering the vulnerability of goalkeepers, Referees should err on the side of the goalkeeper when making decisions.

When a goalkeeper makes a save with his hands (or finger), and he does not catch, or gain possession of the ball cleanly, he is not deemed to be in possession of the ball and an attacking player is entitled to make a play for the ball (so long as it is not done dangerously). The goalkeeper is also not in possession of the ball, when he fumbles the ball or drops the ball or has it knocked away by an attacking opponent before he has it properly under his control.

Possession of the ball by the goalkeeper includes, when he has it under control when bouncing it to the ground or when releasing the ball into play.

There should be no roughing-up of a goalkeeper once he gains possession of the ball.

The ultimate way of understanding if a goalkeeper can possess the ball by just using one finger, is to imagine the goalkeeper standing upright, with the ball at his feet, and one of his fingers pressing down on the top of the ball. This is possession, the same as if he was stretched out on the ground with one finger on the top of the ball.

I have seen some Referees wrongly award an indirect free kick for dangerous play during these accidental! Tripping type of incidents. It is either an unintentional accident or a deliberate foul. Either play on, or award a penalty kick (or a direct free kick if occurring outside of the penalty area). It is certainly not a dangerous play indirect free kick (see question 7 above).

Question 28: Handball or not handball. Can you explain exactly when a player should be penalized for handball or not?

Answer 28: "Handball Ref. Handball Ref. - Handball Ref. - Handball Ref.?"

Question 29: If a player purposefully lies on top of the ball for an unreasonable amount of time, what action should the Referee take?

Answer 29: The Referee should stop play immediately (this will prevent players trying to kick at the ball whilst it is underneath the player on the ground). The player should be cautioned for unsporting behavior and the match restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

If a player (or players) accidentally falls on top of the ball, and it looks as though the ball will not be immediately released naturally, the Referee should stop play immediately to prevent injury to the player(s) on the ground - and restart the match with a dropped ball.

Question 30: Exactly what is the difference between a Indirect Free Kick and a Direct Free Kick?

Answer 30: ............... It is not the direction of the kick that counts or which goal it is aimed at.

A goal cannot be scored direct into the opponents' goal from an indirect free kick. A goal is counted, if following an indirect free kick; the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal.

If an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents' goal - then a goal kick is awarded.

A goal can be scored direct into the opponents' goal from a direct free kick.

If a direct free kick or an indirect free kick (taken outside of a team's penalty area) is kicked directly into that team's own goal by one of its players, then a corner is awarded to the opposition.

If a direct free kick or an indirect free kick (taken inside of a team's penalty area) is kicked directly into that team's own goal by one of its players, then the kick must be retaken - because the ball must leave that team's penalty area before it comes into play. In this instance, the ball did not leave the penalty area, and the kick should therefore be retaken.

The Referee should indicate a indirect free kick by raising his arm straight upwards. The arm remains in this position until the kick has been taken AND the ball has touched another player, or goes out of play.

There is no official Referee signal for direct free kicks. The fact that the Referee does not raise his arm indicates that the kick is direct.

If the Referee forgets to raise his arm during an indirect free kick, the kick is still indirect - even though he has not indicated so with his upraised arm. The indirect free kick does not become a direct free kick just because he forgets to raise his arm!

A direct free kick given against an opponent's team inside the opponents' own penalty area is a penalty kick to the attacking team.

(This will change when the new law comes in - allowing the Referee to move the ball up the field 10 yards following cautioning a player for delaying the restart of the game. If a direct free kick is subsequently moved from outside of the penalty area, into the penalty area because the Referee has moved the ball up field 10 yards - the kick remains a direct free kick and not a penalty kick.)

An indirect free kick within the penalty area is always an indirect free kick.

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following...
[6] six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following [4] four offences:

The award of an Indirect Free Kick for a 'Fair Charge' challenge was taken out of the Laws Of Associated Football during the
1998/99 season. Nevertheless - please find respective advice below.

The offence is now either a foul or it is not a foul.

If two players are running towards the ball, and one (or both players) shoulder charges the other, the Referee needs to decide if a foul has been committed - and by whom.

There is no such thing anymore as a fair 'shoulder to shoulder' charge, irrespective of whether the ball was within playing distance or not.

A dangerous charge occurs when it is directed at a different part of an opponents body such as the middle of the back, or in the ribs; such a charge, even if applied with minimal force is likely to knock the player off balance at best, at worse, it will cause some physical injury. A player has to be penalized for charging in a manner, which is careless, reckless or uses disproportionate force. A player who violently charges an opponent must be sent-off for Violent Conduct - look out for this, particularly during a melee when large numbers of players converge following an incident. A charge to anywhere other than the area of the shoulder or upper arm can be dangerous.

Referee and Assistant Referees should aim to get into the best possible position to view incidents. Aim to try and be alongside players and get a sideways view. The Assistant Referee is sometimes in a better position to judge challenges.

A Direct Free Kick or penalty is to be awarded to opponents if a charge foul is committed on them, irrespective of whether the players' are within playing distance or attempting to play the ball or not.

Punishments for charging:

- Direct free kick if the charge is deemed to be a foul.

- Penalty if a charge is deemed to be a foul committed by a defending player in his own penalty area.

- Send player off if a charge is deemed to be a foul and it prevents a goal scoring opportunity.

- If both players, which the referee deems not to be a foul - make a simultaneous innocuous shoulder charge the game continues.

" Just shout '50/50' get on with it!! "

The restart following a serious foul play offence is either a direct free kick
or
a penalty kick to the team who have been offended against.

Question 42: Just exactly what is an obvious goal scoring opportunity?

Answer 42: See the Goal-Scoring Opportunity page on this website for specific details

Question 43: If an attacker shoots towards goal, but the ball skews off his boot and travels outside the defending team's penalty area - is the defending goalkeeper allowed to come outside of his penalty area, dribble the ball back inside his penalty area, and then pick it up?

Answer 43: Yes. In this instance, an opponent last played the ball towards the goalkeeper. It does not matter that the ball was outside of the penalty area before the goalkeeper picked it up. The goalkeeper has not committed any infringements and should be allowed to continue with play. The goalkeeper is entitled to pick up any ball within his own penalty area, so long as it was not kicked or thrown directly to him by a colleague.

Question 44: Why is there so much inconsistency between Referees when judging when to penalize a player for a pushing offence?

Answer 44: Let us not forget, that football is a contact sport where pushing of one type or another (with the hand or the body etc.) is an integral part of the play. There have been many Law changes over the years, which have endeavored to protect the players and enhance the play action - if pushing is totally removed from the game, and then it will never be the same. Pushing is not normally seen as a danger to players (unless it is done violently, or in a dangerous situation). If the Referee believes that a push has been done "carelessly, recklessly or done with excessive force" or done to unbalance a player or to prevent him from fairly challenging for the ball, then it is a foul in accordance with Law 12. (For example - when a player pushes an opponent to the ground, or whilst they are both jumping or challenging for the ball).

Players very often push by using a bit of their arm, shoulder or their elbow when they are fending one another off, or when they are trying to maintain balance or contesting side-to-side for possession of the ball. Referees will rightly ignore this accepted 'part and parcel' aspect of the game. As long as the two players involved are both evenly having a go! at one another, Referees will usually let it go on, unless the action is done to such a degree, that a foul is eventually committed by one of the players.

The strength of pushing can range from barely making an indent on an opponent's shirt, to shoving someone 10 yards into the cheap seats. The degrees of pushing allowed also varies immensely from match to match, and can depend on the age of the players, the standard of football, the nationality of the teams involved, the experience of players, the players' perception of what should and should not be allowed, the tolerance of the Referee, whether there is a full moon etc............................

It is therefore no wonder that each Referee measures pushing in a different way - after all, Referees' are not robots!. The best advice to Referees is to learn by experience and watching football - and to develop a consistent standard you based on the knowledge gleaned. But remember - pushing done "carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force" or done to unbalance a player or prevent him from fairly challenging for the ball - must be penalized as a foul.

Question 45: Studs up - what does this actually mean, and when should it be penalized?

Answer 45: It's not really difficult to identify a 'studs-up' tackle. They are the type of tackles that make a Referee 'wince'. Players' intentionally raising their feet above the level of the ball when tackling, can cause untold (career ending) damage to an opponent's lower leg.

One type of tackle that we are describing here is the well known "over the top" tackle. This is where the perpetrator has little or no intention of playing the ball, and stamps down over the top of the ball without really making contact with the ball. This sort of tackle is the most hated by players - as it can do untold injury if the studs connect with a player's leg or ankle. Players will get very irate when a tackle of this nature is committed against themselves, or one of their teammates. The Referee must act very quickly to diffuse any further trouble following "over the top" tackles. The punishment for such a tackle is at the very minimum a yellow card - and very often a red card. The restart is a direct free kick (or penalty) to the opposing team.

"Over the top" tackles are not dangerous play (indirect free kick restarts), they are the more serious 'kicks or attempts to kick' fouls (direct free kick or penalty kick restarts).

An 'over the top' tackle is a Law 12 Direct Free Kick offence (kicks or attempts to kick an opponent) - it does not matter whether the studs catch the opponent or not - the attempt is enough to warrant a direct free kick (or a penalty).

Tackles of this nature have no regard for the spirit of the game, and are usually committed in a pique of temper without any regard for the damage it may cause to an opponent. The Referee who does not penalize the perpetrator with at least a yellow card - will certainly regret not doing so, because players who feel that they have not been protected by the Referee against such spiteful tackles, will no doubt, take the Law into their own hands and seek retribution against the perpetrator an his team at the very next available instance.

Question 46: Why do Referees ignore the blatant impeding (obstruction offence) when an attacker kicks the ball towards his opponent's goal line, and then attempts to regain possession of the ball. In the meantime, a defender intersperses himself between the attacker and the ball, with his back blocking the attacker from the ball, knowing full well, that if the ball is not touched, it will run out of play naturally for a goal kick. The defender is only focused on blocking the attacker from the ball, and has no intention of playing the ball himself (which is invariably never within his playing distance)?

Answer 46: By Law, blocking or screening a player from a route to the ball should only be allowed if the blocking player has the ball within playing distance of him.

The 1996/1997 Law 12 stated that an indirect free kick should be awarded against a player committing the following offence:

" When not playing the ball, impeding the progress of an opponent, i.e. running between the opponent and the ball, or interposing the body so as to form an obstacle to an opponent".

The (1996/1997) Law 12 Decision Number 5 further explained that a player was allowed to shield the ball without touching it - so long as it is within playing distance of that shielding player.

The FIFA rewrite of the Laws in 1997/1998 simplified the wording of the Laws, which now only show:

" Impedes the progress of an opponent".

This exactly describes the question incident above - so why is it still never penalized?

Still a good question - and I can never understand why this is not always penalized either (albeit that I am just as guilty of not automatically penalizing this offence myself).

By Law, Referees should always penalize this offence, but actual enforcement of it varies considerably from Referee to Referee. The real answer to the question is that over the years, players have become very adept at disguising the fact that the ball is not within playing distance during these types of incidents. This has slowly lead to too many instances of this being ignored by Referees, and it has now become an unwritten demi-Law that is a semi-legal, semi-accepted part of the game. I believe that Referees should be given a mandate from FIFA to apply the Laws rigidly, and penalized this action by always awarding an indirect free kick. In the past, FIFA have mandated many stipulations for Laws that have slipped into disrepute - and this is another one that requires tightening up.

An individual Referee rigidly applying the Law cannot hope to influence the rest of the World!

By Law, Referees should always penalize this offence - but not if (in the opinion of the Referee) the defender remains within playing distance of the ball, and was therefore legally shielding a playable ball.

Impedance (obstruction) only occurs when the ball is too far away to be played by the shielding player.

Question 47: If a player deliberately handles the ball after entering the field of play without the Referee’s permission - what action should the Referee takes?

Answer 47: The Referee should caution the player for entering the field of play without receiving his permission. Play should be restarted with a direct free kick for the more serious offence of deliberate handball. If the deliberate handball occurred in the player's own penalty area, then a penalty should be awarded to the opposing team.

If the Referee has cautioned this player for entering the field of play without his permission, the Referee can also (at his discretion) give this player a second caution (leading to a sending off) for deliberately handling the ball.

Question 48: If a goalkeeper holding the ball within his penalty area, puts the ball down on the ground, dribbles it outside of the penalty area, and then back into the penalty area and then picks it up again - what action should the Referee take?

Answer 48: The Referee should award an indirect free kick to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the goalkeeper touched the ball a second time inside his penalty area.

By placing the ball down on the ground, the goalkeeper has released it from his possession, and he is not allowed to touch it again with his hands until it has touched another player. (He is also not allowed to touch the ball if it is received directly from a deliberate back-pass or throw-in from a teammate - if he does so, than an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposition).

Question 49: Whilst the ball is still in play, is it a penalty, if the goalkeeper strikes an opponent in the area under the goal net and behind the goal line?

Answer 49: The area under the nets is not part of the penalty area or the field of play. The Referee should send off the goalkeeper, and restart play with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped. If the ball was inside the goal area when play was stopped, then the dropped ball should be taken from that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the ball was inside the goal area when play was stopped.

Question 50: Is the goalkeeper allowed to bounce the ball once he has gained possession of it in his hands?

Answer 50: Yes, this is acceptable within the spirit of the game, and the goalkeeper is not regarded as having released the ball from his possession when bouncing it on the ground.

It is now generally considered that possession of the ball by a goalkeeper in his penalty area includes the act of bouncing the ball in preparation for kicking it out - tossing the ball in the air and re-catching it - the motion of throwing the ball back out into play (or out of play) - and releasing the ball in a drop kick action whilst punting the ball up field. In all these motions, the goalkeeper is said to be still in possession of the ball.

It only becomes an infringement if he loses possession by dropping it purposefully (or accidentally) to the ground and subsequently picks the ball up a second time - the punishment for doing this, is an indirect free kick to the attacking team at the position where the goalkeeper touched the ball a second time. (If in the goal area then the indirect free kick is taken on the goal area line parallel to where the infringement occurred).

Referees should therefore avoid taking any action when goalkeepers, bounces the ball in their possession while inside their penalty area. This is NOT seen as being an infringement of the rules. Whilst bouncing the ball, the attacking players should not attempt to kick or gain possession of the ball - as this is deemed to be interfering with the goalkeeper whilst he is fairly trying to release the ball back into play. The punishment for preventing the goalkeeper releasing the ball is an indirect free kick to the goalkeepers team at the position where the infringement occurred. (If occurring in the goalkeepers goal area, the indirect free kick can be taken from anywhere within that goal area).

Parrying the ball can be seen as gaining possession of the ball - it all depends on whether the Referee thinks that the goalkeeper has gained possession or not. For example, a ball blasted at 100 miles an hour can only be parried by a goalkeeper - conversely, a ball traveling at say 20 miles an hour can be easily caught, so if the goalkeeper decides to parry the ball instead, and then pick it up after it has touched the ground - the Referee could deem this to be an infringement - so it's up to the Referee to decide!

Question 51: What action should the Referee take if whilst the ball is still in play at the other end of the field, a player in his own penalty area deliberately kicks an opponent?

Answer 51: The Referee should stop play, send off the perpetrator and award a penalty to the team of the player who had been kicked.

Note - the ball does not necessarily have to be in the penalty area for a penalty kick to be awarded - it just needs to be still in play on ANY part of the field of play.

Question 52: If a goalkeeper lying on the ground outside of his penalty area stretches his arm inside the penalty area and handles the ball - what action should the Referee take?

Answer 52: None - play should be allowed to continue because the goalkeeper had not infringed any of the Laws. The goalkeeper can only be penalized for handling the ball if it is outside of the penalty area - and in this instance the ball was inside the penalty area. It does not matter whether the goalkeeper is inside or outside of his penalty area - so long as the ball is inside the penalty area.

Of course - the answer to this question assumes that the ball was not kicked back deliberately by a team mate or received directly from a throw-in taken by a team mate. If this was the case, then an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposition, to be taken from the place where the goalkeeper handled the ball inside the penalty area.

Question 53: When a player commits an offence leading to a penalty kick being awarded - does the award of a penalty against the player cancel out the need for a caution to be given to the offending player?

Answer 53: Certainly not - the Referee should consider each case on its merits. If the foul was innocuous, the Referee may decide not to caution the player (or maybe just have a quiet word with him). Fouls of a greater degree will need to be punished, as they would normally be, when occurring on any part of the field of play. Just because the foul occurred inside the penalty area, and lead to a penalty - this should not effect whether the Referee should caution a player or not. It is the nature of the offence, and not necessarily the position or punishment of the offence that merits a caution.

Question 54: Whilst a player was receiving treatment off the field of play, he strikes a spectator who has been giving him some verbal abuse during the game. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 54: The Referee should send - off the player for committing violent conduct. Substitutes can also be sent-off if they commit the same (or a similar offence). If the ball was in play when the offence occurred, the restart is a dropped ball to be taken from the place where the ball was when the Referee stopped play.

Question 55: Two players are standing one in front of another, and as the ball approaches them, the player standing at the rear shouts, "Leave it", and subsequently gains possession of the ball. What action should the Referee take?

Answer 55: No action at all - because the player shouting, "Leave it" has not gained an unfair advantage and should therefore not be penalized. Players giving and shouting instructions are all part of the game itself - it has always been this way. Imagine a game of football where players were not allowed to speak! - now that would be a novelty for the Referee, but it would certainly not allow the game to flow its normal exciting course. There has never been mention in the Laws of prohibiting players from shouting out orders and advice to colleagues. I just wish the players knew this! then us Referees would not have to put up with the usual quip:

"What about the name Ref.!" when opponents' shout "My ball" or "Leave it".......

The only time that the Referee should penalize a player for calling, is when the call is purposefully done to cheat an opponent. For example, imagine an attacker positioned behind a defender, and that defender does not know the attacker is there. The ball is kicked (by another attacker) towards the defender who is just about to take control of the ball. The attacker standing behind the defender says, " Leave it. Goalkeepers ball". The defender, thinking that it is his goalkeeper giving the order, lets the ball roll past him to the attacker who gains possession and scores a goal. This is clearly unsporting, and if done within the Referee's hearing, should be punished with the goal being disallowed, and an indirect free kick being awarded to the defender's team (and a possible caution for the attacker).

Shouts of "My ball" and "Leave it" and "Pass it here" and "Pass it right" are all 'part and parcel' of the game and should not be penalized. Luckily, calls aimed at cheating opponents are few and far between - and as a rule of thumb, Referees should ignore most calls - and just tell players to "Get on with it".

Question 56: If after a free kick has been taken, a player complains to the Referee about the decision to award the free kick. If the Referee decides to caution this player for dissent - when should he administer the caution?

Answer 56: The Referee has two options:

- (a) Stop play immediately to issue the caution. The restart is an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the dissent occurred.

- (b) Allow play to continue, and caution the player when the ball next goes out of play.

The latter (b) is probably the best option - but there will be occasions when the Referee will decide to take option (a). Either option can be used.

Question 57: Is the Referee allowed to stop play to have a strong word with a dissenting player - but not give him a yellow card?

Answer 57: Legally no (and certainly not in senior games). Nevertheless, I have seen this done to very good effect on many occasions (and have used it myself many times to curb growing dissent). Play should be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team taken from the place where the offence (dissent) occurred).

By Law, if the Referee stops the game because of dissent, the dissenting player should be cautioned, and play restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team taken from the place where the offence (dissent) occurred).

Question 58: Where should the Referee restart play, after he stops play to issue a yellow card to a player entering the field of play without his permission?

Answer 58: Play should be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team, to be taken from the place that the ball was, when play was stopped.

Question 59: If a defending player taking an indirect free kick just outside of his own penalty area, kicks the ball back towards his goalkeeper, but his goalkeeper misses the ball with his foot, but makes contact on the ball with his hands before it crosses his own goal line and into the net - what should the Referee do. Is it an indirect free kick against the goalkeeper for touching the ball after receiving a back pass or should a goal be awarded - or is it a corner or a goal kick??

Answer 59: A goal cannot be scored direct into a player's own goal from a direct or indirect free kick. In this case, the free kick originated from outside of the penalty area - the ball comes into play as soon as it is touched and moves. The goalkeeper subsequently touched the ball with his hand before it entered the goal. The Referee should apply the advantage clause and award the goal.

Had the ball entered the goal after being touched by the goalkeeper's foot, and then the goal would still count.

Had the ball entered the goal without being touched by the goalkeeper - then a corner to the opposing team would have been the correct restart (this applies to both an indirect and a direct free kick). If the goalkeeper had picked up the ball, then the Referee should award an indirect free kick (for a back pass) to the opposing team, from the place where the ball was picked up by the goalkeeper).

Had the goalkeeper just kicked the ball up field? And away from danger - play should be allowed to continue, because no infringement had occurred.