An attacking player runs with the ball towards the opponents’ goal. A defending player first pushes the attacker (outside the penalty area) and then deliberately trips the opponent and this (second) contact is inside the penalty area. What is the correct decision?

THE DECISION

The referee applies advantage for the push and awards a penalty kick for the tripping offence which occurred inside the penalty area. If the tripping offence stopped a promising attack or denied the attacker an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the defender receives the appropriate disciplinary sanction.