While the ball is in play, a goalkeeper catches the ball inside their penalty area and then releases it from their hands. As soon as the ball is on the ground, an attacker, who remained on the field of play behind the goalkeeper’s back, runs towards the ball. The goalkeeper then notices the attacker, picks the ball up with their hands inside the penalty area, and prevents the opponent from touching the ball.

Question

Accepted Answer

What is the correct decision if the attacker did not commit a foul while approaching the goalkeeper? The goalkeeper cannot handle the ball after releasing it and before it has touched another player, so the referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the attacking team. However, there is no disciplinary sanction for the goalkeeper.