AboutStuart Young Expertise I can answer questions to do with all aspects of English football, Spanish football and International football. My strongest area in football is current news. I also have a great knowledge of tactics and strategies.
Experience I have played football from a very early age. School teams, youth club level progressing to semi-professional level and playing at county level.
Question Hi. An indirect free kick has been awarded just outside the penalty area. As the wall is being set up, the defending team's bench signaled to make a substitution of the goalkeeper. The referee signaled for the change, but the bench changed their mind. The opposing team immediately took the freekick and scored; claiming they did not ask for a whistle (for the kick). Should the goal be disallowed and free kick retaken since the defending team was waiting for the referee to resume play given the intended substitution?
Answer Hi, The free-kick should be taken again because it is to the referees discretion to ask the ball taker if he/she would like to take the free-kick early or not. If the player says he/she wants to take it quickly then that is fine, but if the referee has been informed of a substitution then the free-kick will then be taken on the referees whistle thus meaning the free-kick will have to be taken when the goalkeeper is ready.
It may seem that an advantage has been taken away from the team that has been awarded the free-kick, but common sense prevails here.
