If a free kick is awarded near the edge of the penalty area, the opposition players form a wall inside the...?

Question

penalty area with their arms across their chest or face and the ball hits one of their arms from the free kick, is a penalty awarded? I would presume the answer would be "No", as it's ball to hand, but as the commentators said last night, there is no reason to have your arms up that high. Does anyone know for sure?

Answer 1

Law 12 states that a direct free kick is awarded if a player from the opposing team "handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)". Where that offence takes place within the penalty area then the award is a penalty instead.

Therefore the referee has to be satisfied that the ball did not only make contact with a players hand / arm but that the player initiated that contact deliberately.

In the case where a player has his hands in a protective position prior to the ball being struck (such as when they are in a wall) it is reasonable to say that the player did not initiate that contact.

The referees first duty is to ensure the safety of all those taking part, and I would judge taking the point of view that a player is not entitled to protect vulnerable areas of his body in this manner to be inconsistent with this duty.

Therefore, in my opinion, the player is entitled to have his hands protecting his face if he so chooses prior to the ball being struck, and therefore I would not award a penalty in this situation.

This would contrast with a situation where a defending player placed his hands high above his head, in order to make the wall higher. Whilst he might not move his hands from that position to make contact with the ball after it has been struck, he would still be judged to have initiated that contact by having his hands so high in the first place. There would be no over-riding safety concerns to consider, and therefore in this scenario I would award a penalty.

Answer 2

Firstly, note that 'walls' can be formed anywhere. For obvious reasons, there is no need to erect one when you concede a free kick in the middle of the park.

A penalty is a form direct free kick in the box, bringing ball to hand, is punished with a freekick or penalty. However, there must be intent to 'play the ball' with the hand. But there can be different scenarios;

Eg (A), A striker accidentally touches the ball with the hand and scores, no referee in the world will award a goal. Why? Common sense, you must give the defending team a sporting chance.

Eg (B), The ball is about to strike a defender (in your scenario) in the face, he raises his hand to protect his face, penalty or no? Answer, No penalty, the intent is not to 'play the ball' but protect his face (it could be groin also).

But if the defender raises his hand to protect his chest, then this becomes very subjective and is left to referee discretion. In the usual instance, a penalty should be awarded. The discretion here is based as to what the referee thinks the hand was raised for?

Finally, indirect free kicks inside the box, sometimes the distance is far too close, as such the ball is likely to hit any part of the the upper body, this is usually left as it is, unless a clear attempt to play the ball is made.

In all cases, it is whether there was intent to 'play the ball', even though there was no attempt to gain control of it.

In offside, there must be an attempt to gain control but not here.

Answer 3

If the arm is in a "passive" or natural position, a penalty won't be awarded. So if a ball hits a players arm while it's by his side, it won't be called. They cover their chest and groin to protect their vital areas from the shots, which can reach up to 80 mph. Crazy fast.

Answer 4

No,
As long as the arm is used to protect the body there is no penalty.
However a referee can always conclude the arm was to high. Protecting your head with your arm is a no no. Only shoulders may be used.

Answer 5

No by rules of game ( unintentionally).

However the decision is on the hand of the referee. If he think the player touches the ball intentionally (eventhough he is not) then a panelty will be awarded to the opposite team.

Answer 6

When Reina saves that free kick, should he mess Ronaldos hair up or would it make him cry? Or when Gerrard gets a free kick just outside the box should Van Der Sar put a nappy on bc he will be pooing his pants at the prospect of conceding in front of his home crowd?

Answer 7

unless player makes a movement towards the ball with hand its not handball

Answer 8

If it was an accident and then the opponent has an advantage then there is no need for pelanty.. but if it was done with intenen then its a foul.