About Marney Egan Expertise I can answer almost any question about the game of soccer (drills to practice, what to do in different situations, calls made by the referee, gear to use, fitness, etc.). I was a goalie in HS and college so I am able to answer more specific questions about this position. I can also provide insight on the college game (recruitment process, what to expect, etc.).
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR AGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH THE GAME SO I CAN PROVIDE AN ANSWER CATERING TO YOUR AGE AND ABILITY. THANKS!!
Experience I have been playing soccer for 20 years (10 years as a goalie) and played at a D-I college. My father played professionally and has been a personal coach for my siblings and me through our careers (we have all played in college). I am currently coaching a U-13 Girls club soccer team and have also coached at several college camps during the summer including one hosted by the US Naval Academy.
Organizations Coach for Allegheny Force Football Club.
Education/Credentials Degree from Bucknell University; attended numerous soccer camps over the years including ones hosted by Notre Dame (Women's D-I National Champs) and Messiah College (Women's D-III National Champs).
Awards and Honors Patriot League Academic Honor Roll; Captain of high school soccer team.
Question Age 60, don't laugh, I've coached, refereed and have been a fan for over 40
years. My Q, is foul made by a goalie AFTER the attacking player kicks the
ball cleanly from within the penalty box (no contact with goalie) into the goal.
Goalie continues forward taking out the scoring play. If I'm the referee I
would award the goal and issue a red card to the goalie. Usually what I 'see'
happening is the goal is disallowed and a penalty kick is awarded.
Even the few times the initial goal is allowed the goalie is never 'carded'
because there are 'not fouls' when play is stopped (goal scored).
Answer There are many technicalities in the sport of soccer, most of which you only find out about when a rare foul or infraction is committed. My brother was once called for "trickery" which was actually supposed to be an unsportsmanlike conduct call based on using the Laws of the Game to gain an advantage for his team (which I still think was slightly ridiculous but I guess that's soccer sometimes). Anyway, to explain the situations you are suggesting you must look at what is most likely occurring in each instance.
For the first situation if the referee awards a penalty kick then he most likely signaled the foul, or else the foul occurred, prior to the ball crossing the goal line. In this case, the play is stopped and therefore the goal cannot be awarded since it did not cross the line prior to the infraction occurring. However, in the second case the referee is most likely giving the attacking team an advantage and waiving off the offence. According to FIFA's Laws of the Game, "If the referee applies advantage during an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and a goal is scored directly, despite the opponent’s handling the ball or fouling an opponent, the player cannot be sent off but he may still be cautioned." Therefore, the referee would not be permitted to issue a red card to the keeper, though a yellow could be shown. You are also correct in saying that one of the conditions that must be met for an offence to be considered a foul is that it must occur while the ball is in play. Therefore, if ball crosses the goal line play is immediately stopped which cancels any "fouls" that occur after the goal.
As I am sure you've noticed in your many years of coaching, refereeing and watching the game, the keeper is one of the players who is constantly exposing himself to fouling opportunities, which is why referees will occasionally give the keeper the benefit of the doubt. It could perhaps be a case where the keeper went down for the ball but since the ball was released before he could make contact with it he instead runs into the player. As a keeper, I know how difficult it can be to stop the momentum we have when diving for a shot so I would not see it as a deliberate attempt to harm the opposing player (which may be the reason why the keeper is not even shown a yellow for the "technical" infraction).
I hope this clarifies the calls you often see occurring on the field and why as a referee you would not be permitted to allow the goal AND issue a red card. If you have any other questions please write again!!
