Clarification of the UAF Referees Committee regarding the episodes in the match of the 21st round of the UPL Mariupol - Shakhtar

12.04.2021 16:40

The Committee of Referees of the Ukrainian Football Association explained some points in the match of the 21st round of the UPL "Mariupol" - "Shakhtar" (0: 3).

Episode 1. 77th minute

VIDEO

77 min During the duel for an equidistant ball within the penalty area of ​​FC Mariupol between a player in attack № 2 FC Shakhtar and a goalkeeper № 1 FC Mariupol there was a game collision and fall of both players. The referee awarded an 11-meter kick to the goal of FC Mariupol, believing that the violation was committed by the goalkeeper. In our opinion, the position of the arbitrator was not entirely successful in order to well control, evaluate and make an appropriate decision that would meet the requirements § 2 of Rule 12 (p. 107):

It is considered that the goalkeeper controls the ball with his hands when the ball is between his hands or between his hand and any surface (for example, a field, the goalkeeper's own body), or the goalkeeper touches the ball with any part of his hands except situations when the ball bounced off the goalkeeper or the goalkeeper bounced off the save.

An opponent cannot engage in single combat with a goalkeeper who controls the ball in his hands.

In this episode, the goalkeeper was more agile - almost took possession of the ball, and the attacking player flew into him, knocking the ball out of his hands, and made a dangerous collision with him. Therefore, guided by the current Rules of the game, a more acceptable correct decision would be to assign a free kick (physical contact) in favor of the team of FC "Mariupol" and in accordance with the requirements § 1 of Rule 12 (p. 103) make a yellow card for FC Shakhtar № 2 for reckless play against an opponent:

Violation containing contact is punishable by a penalty or an 11-meter kick. Recklessness - the player acts regardless of safety or consequences for the opponent, must be warned.

Episode 2. 82th minute

VIDEO

82 minutes. While fighting and trying to block the ball, which was directed in the direction of the goal of FC "Mariupol", the defender № 44 of FC "Mariupol", jumping / falling towards the ball, made contact of the ball and hand within his own penalty area , interrupting his further flight to the target. Probably due to lack of concentration and unexpected actions on the part of the defender, the referee continued the game, which did not quite meet the requirements. § 1 of Rule 12 (p. 104): 

A player commits an offense if he: intentionally touches the ball with his own hand / hand, including the movement of his hand / hand to the ball.

Therefore, such actions of the player who tried to block this shot are illegal and violate the requirements of the current Rules of the game. A more acceptable correct decision in this game episode would be to assign an 11-meter kick in favor of FC Shakhtar and in accordance with the requirements § 3 of Rule 12 (p. 110) take out a yellow card to № 44 FC Mariupol for disrupting a promising attack (shot in the direction of the goal):

Warnings for unsportsmanlike conduct. There are various circumstances in which a player must receive a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct, including the following: if a player plays the ball with his hand to intervene or thwart a prospective attack.