A defender kicks the ball to a goalkeeper (a team-mate). After the ball has been kicked, an attacker of the opposing team also chases after the ball so the goalkeeper runs out of the penalty area and deliberately touches the ball with their hand. What is the correct decision?

Question

Accepted Answer

The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick. If the referee decides that the handball offence:
* stopped a promising attack – the goalkeeper is cautioned (yellow card)
* denied the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity – the goalkeeper is sent off (red card)