LAW 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

Fouls and misconduct are penalized as follows:

Direct Free Kick

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

• Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
• Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
• Jumps at an opponent
• Charges an opponent
• Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
• Pushes an opponent

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following offences:

• Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball
• Holds an opponent
• Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).

It is encouraged to have the referee call out (eg.: 'play on') when the referee does not intend to stop play for an unintentional handling of the ball. A player protecting themselves from the ball as a reflex action is not considered handling the ball unless an advantage to that player's team results.

A direct free kick is taken from where the offence occurred.

Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offences is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.

Indirect Free Kick

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following five offences:

• Holds the ball for longer than 6 seconds before releasing it from possession.
• Touches the ball again with their hands after it has been released from their possession and has not touched any other player
• Touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to them by a team-mate
• Touches the ball with their hands after they have received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

(Note: Players are not permitted to play the ball while the goalkeeper is in control of the ball (holding the ball, dribbling the ball, parrying the ball). When the goalkeeper makes a save and loses control of the ball, players are permitted to play the ball. The goalkeeper can release the ball by any means within the 6 second period (eg.: drop kick or throwing)).

An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee:

• Plays in a dangerous manner
• Impedes the progress of an opponent
• Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands

The indirect free kick is taken from where the offence occurred.

Disciplinary Sanctions - Cautionable Offences (yellow cards) and Sending-Off Offences (red cards)

Although referees at these levels will not be using yellow and red cards specifically, if a player commits an act that is considered unsporting behaviour, serious in nature or dangerous the referee may caution the player and/or ask the player to leave the field of play for the remainder of the match. Repeated offences will be referred to the Club Executive.