An attacker (Team A) is legally tackled from behind by a midfielder (Team B) and falls to the ground near Team B’s penalty area. The ball then rolls into the penalty area, where it is caught by a Team B defender who assumes a free kick has been awarded, even though the referee has not whistled or signalled to stop play. What is the correct decision?

Question

Accepted Answer

The referee awards a penalty kick for a handball offence because the Team B defender deliberately handled the ball while it was still in play.