Direct Free Kick Offences
A direct free kick is awarded when a player commits any of the following in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
- Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent
- Trips or attempts to trip an opponent
- Jumps at an opponent
- Charges an opponent
- Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent
- Pushes an opponent
- Tackles an opponent
Or commits any the following offences:
- Holds an opponent
- Spits at an opponent
- Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).
In determining whether or not a player deliberately handled the ball, the referee has several considerations:
- Movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
- Distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
- Position of the hand ('natural' position versus 'unnatural' position) does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement
- Touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement
- Hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement
If a player commits a direct free kick offence within his own penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded irrespective of the position of the ball, provided the ball is in play.
Read more about this topic: Foul (association Football)
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