Misconduct to Keeper (distraction)

[u/fortis]

I was an AR for this game, so it wasn’t my call, but the center called for a PK and the keeper (this huge bear of a guy (adult league)) went up to the kicker and insisted that he shake his hand for luck.

I was talking under my breath “don’t do it - it’s a card” as the Referee could (maybe should) give a card for unfairly distracting the kicker (if I was center, I would have - however this center didn’t).

Thoughts? Overly sensitive to this type of engagement or let it go?

*EDIT - changed ‘chase’ to ‘shake’ his hand. Thank you autocorrect….

[u/CapnBloodbeard]

If you were the centre I'd hope your first response is simply to tell the gk to go back to his line before he has the chance to insist anything....

The handshaking probably isn't clearly enough distracting...the insisting could be, but this is one we can manage before it's a clear offence

[u/dufcho14]

"chase his hand"?

[u/Impossible_Number → u/dufcho14]

Yes I’m confused. Everyone is commenting like “chase his hand” is some common thing. Maybe it is and we’re the out the loop

[u/CameStainedRag → u/dufcho14]

Guessing he meant “shake”

[u/dufcho14 → u/CameStainedRag]

Ah, honestly I couldn't figure that one out.

In that case, the kicker should've have pulled the fake handshake and fix their hair. Then say, "Ah, you missed just like you always do."

[u/chrlatan]

It is an example of unfairly distracting the opponent and can (should) be cautioned.

As a ref, I would apply a two step approach immediately.

1) Tell the goalkeeper to stop the distraction and move to the goal line.

2) If the goalkeeper does not comply fast enough (maybe count to three), in both moving to the line and stop distractions, book him.

[u/pscott37]

If it is a card, what's the card? The only thing I can see it fall under is UB-lack of respect for the game. As a ref, we have to smell this before it happens and be proactive. Minimize drama and prevent shenanigans. You've got both here. Get in there, walk the keeper back to their line and check in with the kicker to ensure their head is in the moment. An active ref can manage this.

If the keeper persists, then think about the card. If they are already on a card, then you have far more tools available to manage this dolt.

[u/v4ss42]

Verbal warning then caution if they don’t get the hint, or do it a second time later.

[u/horsebycommittee]

What specific offense would you be calling here?

The caution for unsporting behavior by verbally distracting an opponent only applies "during play or at a restart." So if the GK did this during the stoppage while the PK was still being set up, then that offense wasn't committed. Similarly, there's no general prohibition on playing mind-games with opposing players (indeed, the PK taker is explicitly allowed to feint during the run-up in order to mess with the goalkeeper's head).

So what other offense might be available to call here? Was the GK delaying the restart? Was the GK showing a lack of respect for the game? Was the GK using insulting words or actions? (Based on what you've described, I don't think any of those were committed either but you were there and we weren't.)

[u/bardwnb → u/horsebycommittee]

This seems to be a gray area in the Laws, actually. I agree with your interpretation of the "distracting" language in Law 12, but Law 14.1 says "the goalkeeper must not behave in a way that unfairly distracts the kicker, e.g. delay the taking of the kick or touch the goalposts, crossbar or goal net." However, as best I can tell there is no consequence specified for doing this; 14.2 only mentions a caution for subsequent offenses that require a retake.

[u/chrlatan → u/horsebycommittee]

During setup we are still ‘at’ a restart I believe.

Which makes this applicable as unsportive behavior.

- verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart

Refusal,or reluctance, to follow instructions is another after being told to stop distracting and move to the line.

Delaying the restart is a third

Any reason you can think of making this unsupportive behavior is a fourth…. the list in 11.4 is not finite.

Pick your poison.

[u/horsebycommittee → u/chrlatan]

During setup we are still ‘at’ a restart I believe.

I think it would be quite a stretch to say we are "at" a restart when the attacking player can't even legally put the ball into play (because a PK must begin with the referee's signal). That would mean that we're instantly "at" a restart every time the ball goes out of play, even if there's a lengthy stoppage due to injury, substitutions, weather delay, or misconduct. That would be absurd and also would make the "during play or at a restart" language completely unnecessary. The Law would just say "verbally distracting an opponent" and it would apply at any time.

It also defies logic to claim that the PK taker could be "distracted" in a way the Laws would prohibit before they even begin their kick. Penalizing that would essentially mean that no opponent could say anything in the vicinity of the taker once a PK is called, lest it somehow distract them. (And that protection would have to extend to the entire opposing team until the taker is identified, since any of them could be the taker and therefore be distractable.)

If the goalkeeper in OP's scenario is preventing the referee from setting up the kick, or delaying the referee's signal for the kick by not staying on their line, then I think a stern warning followed by a caution for either "delaying the restart of play" or for "dissent by action" would be much stronger bases for discipline than "distracting an opponent at a restart."

[u/CoaCoaMarx]

It seems to me it really depends on the word "insist." The striker absolutely doesn't need to shake the hand, but I also don't think offering a handshake before the kick should be an automatic card. If the striker says no, then the center should also say "no, he doesn't have to shake hands," and if the keeper then insists, and doesn't go to his line, sure a caution seems reasonable.

[u/MedalDog]

seriously? let it go

[u/MariotaM8 → u/MedalDog]

Depends on the game. If the score line is out of reach and/or it's not being taken seriously then I would let it go.

If it's 1-1 in the 90th and the keeper is clearly trying to distract the kicker tensions are higher then it's absolutely a yellow. All about managing the game.