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LAW 12 · Fouls and Misconduct · 2026/27

At a free kick the goalkeeper 'flicks' the ball up and a team-mate heads/chests the ball back for the goalkeeper to catch in their own penalty area. What is the referee’s decision?

See Decision

THE DECISION

The 'initiator' of this attempt to circumvent the Law is cautioned (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour. Play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team as outlined in Law 13.2 (depending on where the ball was ‘flicked’ up).

Read official Law 12 ↗