Out of control?

[Nevadaref]

Okay, after examining what the Advice tells us, what can we conclude?

1. The parents are clueless. Big surprise there. The keeper has no more rights than any other player on the field no matter where the action is unless he is in possession of the ball (with his hands) and then he may not be charged by an opponent. That's the only extra protection a keeper gets from the Laws of the Game.

2. Whether the keeper was playing the ball or not doesn't matter. The contact can still be a foul even if he is playing the ball and even if he contacts his opponent after getting the ball. Furthermore, there is no requirement in the Laws of the Game that a player must "play the ball." He must merely be within playing distance of the ball and then may charge the opponent or shield the ball with his body.

3. However, just because there is contact that doesn't mean that a foul has occurred. The referee must decide that the player's action was either careless, reckless, or involved the use of excessive force. Otherwise, the push, kick, trip, or charge is not a foul. It is simply accidental or inadvertent contact. 12.2 tells us NOT to punish that kind of contact.

Therefore, the referee needs to decide if the keeper came out carelessly or recklessly. Did he slide and grab the ball and have his momentum carry him right through the opponent's feet cutting him down? If he did, then the penalty kick is a good call (see 12.8). He needs to demonstrate due caution for the safety of his opponent.

Or did the keeper come out forcefully, but in a controlled manner, and snatch the ball with a daring slide right in front of his opponent and then the opponent tripped or fell over him? If that is the case, then this should not have been a foul per 12.4 .

These are the tough decisions that they pay us the big bucks to make!