Futsal 2012/13 Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct (as applies to the GK)

There's been an interesting discussion on twitter of late about futsal's Law 12, specifically as it applies to the indirect free kicks portion relating to the goalkeeper. The method currently taught in the CSA seems to be contradicted by what some higher level referees from Europe are stating.

The relevant portion of Law 12 from FIFA is as follows:

The specific one in question is, coincidentally, the one that was changed ("kicked" to "played") for 2012/13:

• after playing the ball, he touches it again in his own half of the pitch after it
  has been deliberately played to him by a team-mate without an opponent
  playing or touching it

Here in Canada, and specifically Ontario, the interpretation followed is such that there is a "no foul, no card" situation when a goalkeeper dribbles the ball into the opposing half, then back into his own half of the pitch. This is what we, as referees, are taught, and what is applied during the course of matches.

Having said that, according to a discussion with an English futsal referee on twitter, if a goalkeeper dribbles the ball into the opposing half, then dribbles it back into his own half of the pitch, this would be an indirect free kick, with the keyword being "again" from the Law above, thereby suggesting that the goalkeeper becomes his own team-mate when he crosses into the opposing half of the pitch.

The big issue with this is that this seems to go against the rest of the Laws of the Game and indeed the Laws of the Game for soccer/football. For example, there's a specific situation that happens all the time in soccer when a goalkeeper collects a ball (not from a team-mate) outside of his penalty area, dribbles it into his area and handles the ball. The specific wording is "touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate". Under the Laws (and indeed in every match played out there), this is allowed. In this case, the goalkeeper ceases to have his privileges (handling the ball) once he leaves his penalty area, does that make him his own team-mate? If so, it would seem that FIFA is redefining words... something they never suggest they are doing anywhere within the Laws of the Game.

The same applies to the futsal Laws of the Game. Yes, the word "again" is in the Law quoted above. But more importantly, the word "team-mate" is there. The goalkeeper is still his team's goalkeeper, whether in his penalty area, his own half of the pitch, or the other half of the pitch. Therefore, he cannot be his own team-mate when he crosses the halfway line. If that were the case, would he not cease to be his team's goalkeeper, which would contravene Law 3 - The Number of Players, "A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper."

If it is the case is that when the goalkeeper receives the ball from a team-mate, plays it out of his own half of the pitch, and then back into his own half of the pitch, the call should be an indirect free kick, then there needs to be a clarification given to all officials and associations indicating that this is the desired interpretation. Without that, we can only go by the current interpretation in the Laws and thus there is the potential for different groups dealing with the law in different ways. the specific interpretation in the 2012/13 Laws is as follows:

The vertical bar indicates the amendment portion, which was changed from "kicked to him" to "played to him" in the 2012/13 Laws of the Game.

As things currently stand, there are GKs in Brazil (for example) who regularly carry the ball over the halfway line within the four seconds allotted to them, then back into their own half, without any penalty. With the Euro Cup beginning tomorrow (Jan 28th), it'll be interesting to see a) if this situation crops up at all, and b) how it is called at that competition.

What are your thoughts?

Update (Jan 28/14):

The FIFA Refereeing Department responded to the query set forth with the following as their answer on how this portion of the Laws of the Game should be interpreted:

Scenario 1: Suppose that a goalkeeper dribbles the ball over the halfway line (in less than 4 seconds of course) and then dribbles the ball back into his own half of the pitch. What action, if any, should the referee take?

The 4 seconds are being counted – if the goalkeeper does not go over 4 seconds, no fault, no indirect free kick. Once he goes over the half line, the count of 4 seconds is stopped; as he crosses back to his own half of the pitch, the count re-starts at 0. So theoretically he can cross back and forward as many times as necessary...

Scenario 2: Suppose the goalkeeper plays the ball to a teammate, then runs into the opposing half, where he receives a pass from a team mate (still no touch by an opponent). The goalkeeper then dribbles the ball into his own half of the pitch. What action, if any, should the referee take?

Award an Indirect free kick, as he touches again at his own half without an opponent touching it – the infraction is done when he crosses the line, and not before.

I believe that answers the questions raised completely and effectively. It appears that there was some confusion in the discussion online, which often happens, and that Marc was answering half of the question, likely not realizing that there were actually two separate questions in the discussion.

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