Play is restarted with a dropped ball for a defender (Team A) outside their penalty area. After the ball has touched the ground, an opposing attacker (Team B) who was more than 4 m away, runs towards the defender, plays the ball first and kicks it directly into the goal. What is the correct decision?

Question

Accepted Answer

The opponent is allowed to play the ball before the player for whom the ball was dropped, provided that the required distance is respected until the ball is in play (i.e. touches the ground). As a goal cannot be scored from a dropped ball unless two or more players have touched the ball, the referee awards a goal kick to Team A.