An attacker comes very close to the goalkeeper, who has caught the ball inside their penalty area. While the goalkeeper is releasing the ball to pass it with their hands, the attacker jumps in front of the goalkeeper to block the pass (without making contact with the opponent). Immediately after the ball is thrown, it rebounds off the attacker’s head and goes into the goal. What is the correct decision?

Question

Accepted Answer

The referee disallows the goal and awards an indirect free kick to the goalkeeper’s team because the goalkeeper cannot be challenged when in control of the ball with their hands, nor prevented from releasing the ball. The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) if they commit this offence persistently (repeatedly), or if it stops or interferes with a promising attack.