Bakersfield A.C.E.S.

While the ball is in play, a player deliberately kicks the ball to their goalkeeper, who attempts unsuccessfully to kick it. The ball touches the goalkeeper’s foot but goes backwards towards the empty goal. The goalkeeper then chases the ball and touches it with their hands, preventing it from entering the goal. What is the correct decision?

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An attacking player scores in the opponents’ goal after the ball has touched their shoulder. What is the correct decision?

A player may be cautioned (yellow card) for verbally distracting an opponent if this is considered by the referee to be unsporting behaviour (as mentioned in Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct). Minor offences can be dealt with a warning, unless they are blatant and/or repeated.

OFFENCE

For a player to be punished, the referee should be convinced that the verbal distraction unfairly impacted the opponent and interfered with play (which is more likely in youth/grassroots football).

DECISION

If a player verbally distracts an opponent:
➡ at a restart – the restart can be retaken unless the referee plays advantage
➡ during play – the referee may decide to stop play or allow it to continue (depending on the circumstances/impact); if play is stopped, it is restarted with an indirect free kick from the place where the offending player was at the time of the offence

EXAMPLES

1️⃣ At a penalty kick, a defending team player shouts loudly at the moment when an attacking team player is about to kick the ball. This unfair interference distracts the kicker and the penalty is missed.

Decision: The defending player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour and the penalty kick is retaken.

2️⃣ While a player is taking a throw-in, an opponent shouts at the thrower to distract them.

Decision: If the ball has not yet come into play, the throw-in is taken by the same team from the same position. However, if the throw-in has been taken, the referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the thrower’s team. The offending player is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour before play is restarted.

3️⃣ While a defender is about to receive the ball, an attacker who is close and behind the defender, shouts ‘my ball’ to mislead the opponent. The defender hesitates and fails to control the ball, allowing the attacker to gain possession of the ball.

Decision: The referee may stop play and award an indirect free kick to the defender’s team. The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.

4️⃣ During a youth football match, a defender chases an attacker and yells at them to distract the attacker as they prepare to make a pass/take a shot. As a result, the attacker stops and loses possession of the ball.

Decision: The referee may stop play and award an indirect free kick to the attacker’s team. The defender is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour.

Players who cover their mouths when confronting an opponent will be sent off at this summer's World Cup.

FIFA proposed toughening the sanctions following the incident between Vinícius Júnior and Gianluca Prestianni in February.

A defending team player who is on the field of play, close to the touchline, deliberately handles the ball as it is going past them (with no opponents nearby), preventing it from leaving the field of play. Otherwise, the ball would have gone out for a throw-in to the opposing team.

What is the referee’s decision?

A player changes places and shirts with the goalkeeper while the ball is in play. The referee was not informed beforehand and stops play after noticing the change. Is this the correct decision?

An attacker is in an offside position when their team-mate makes a long pass towards them. However, the ball does not reach the attacker, as it is intercepted by a defender. The defender controls the ball with their feet, moves a few metres and touches the ball several times.

After that, the attacker, who was in an offside position, runs to the ball, tackles the defender and gains possession without committing a foul.

What is the referee’s decision?

A defender starts an argument with an attacker and pushes the opponent outside the penalty area while the ball is in play in the middle of the field.

What is the referee’s decision?

A goalkeeper catches the ball inside their penalty area and releases it from their hands in an attempt to make a long pass. After the ball is thrown up but before it is kicked by the goalkeeper, an opposing attacker standing nearby extends a leg, kicks the ball, and scores a goal.

What is the correct decision?