After the goalkeeper has caught the ball inside their penalty area, an opposing attacker quickly moves into the goalkeeper’s path and deliberately slows down the start of a potential counter-attack. What is the correct decision if the attacker does not touch the goalkeeper or the ball?

THE DECISION

Unless the advantage can be applied, play is stopped and restarted with an indirect free kick for preventing the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from their hands. The attacker is cautioned (yellow card) if their offence is considered by the referee to be persistent (repeated), reckless, or it stops/interferes with a promising attack.