A defender deliberately kicks the ball to their goalkeeper who tries to control the pass (no attempt to clear the ball). After the ball rebounds from their foot/leg, the goalkeeper slips on the grass and then catches the ball inside their penalty area, ahead of an approaching opponent. What is the correct decision?

THE DECISION

The goalkeeper cannot touch the ball with their hand/arm after it was deliberately kicked to them by a team-mate, ‘unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or attempted to kick the ball to release it into play’ which did not happen in this situation. Therefore, play is stopped and restarted with an indirect free kick to the attacking team. There is no disciplinary sanction for the goalkeeper.