Question Number: 23417

Law 17 - Corner Kick 6/4/2010

RE: Competitive Under 15

Jim Faust of Chambersburg, PA USA asks...

I'm starting to see more teams when they are taking a corner kick have a player holding the goalkeeper, knocking the keepers arms down, generally impeding the keeper from moving and/or catching the ball, even before the kick is taken. Nothing is being called by the referee. Is there any protection for the keeper?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jim
If when the ball is in play an opponent impedes the goalkeeper that is indeed an offence and if there is contact the restart is a direct free kick. Players are not allowed to hold the goalkeeper nor impede his/her movement nor touch his/her arms by knocking them down. What I notice in recent times is that the astute goalkeeper attracts the attention of the referee to the possible infringement by the opponent. Clearly it only becomes a penal foul once the ball is put into play and the referee should be looking closely for these offences. Before the ball is in play it is misconduct and the referee can take disciplinary action against the offender. Certainly when I officiate I pay particular attention to what is happening the goalkeeper at corner kick restarts.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

This is an old, old trick, and too many referees are either unaware of it, or choose not to deal with it. That's a shame, really, because it is relatively easy to fix.

On the first few corners in any game, I am closely watching the interaction around the keeper. If there is any monkey business, I call it quickly. The attackers usually look at me, which allows me to give them the 'look' and the shake of the head. I've never had to do more than call it once on each team for them to get the message, and once that level is set, I've not had teams cross it again (in that game - they are forgetful the next time...).

It is a very good tool for player management. If defenders (both teams) realize you are watching and will not allow the keeper to be unfairly interfered with on corner kicks, they relax and there are many fewer issues to deal with as a result. Attackers can focus on winning the ball and making a fair goal. All good for the game.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

This has been a point of emphasis for FIFA for some time.

'It is an offence to restrict the movement of the goalkeeper by unfairly impeding him, e.g. at the taking of a corner kick.'

It is a technique taught by coaches, and persists only with the complicity of the referees. It usually stops after the first time the referee calls impeding the keeper. At older levels, if the referee doesn't stop it, the very large enforcer will.

My son was a goalkeeper (part moose) who found another way. He'd get close to the attacker, grab the back of the attacker's jersey, shout loudly, and then pull the player on top of himself. The referee would then react, often now with a yellow card - -and the attackers usually stayed away from him after that.

Not lawful or even moral, but has served to remind me that players will act if the referee does not.