Cracking down on GK leaving his line on the PK (Liverpool v. Chelsea [R])

[wjarrettc]

This is the first example I've seen of the new FIFA directive to crack down on keepers leaving their line before a PK.

In today's Liverpool v. Chelsea match, Michael Owen missed a PK wide left but the AR quickly got the attention of the CR and informed him that the keeper left his line early (nice teamwork displayed here).

Replays clearly showed he did leave his line early. It wasn't as blatant as some I've seen, but there was no doubt the keeper was moving forward before the ball was kicked.

Owen stepped up again and buried it...

[kevbrunton]

Originally posted by wjarrettc
This is the first example I've seen of the new FIFA directive to crack down on keepers leaving their line before a PK.

In today's Liverpool v. Chelsea match, Michael Owen missed a PK wide left but the AR quickly got the attention of the CR and informed him that the keeper left his line early (nice teamwork displayed here).

Replays clearly showed he did leave his line early. It wasn't as blatant as some I've seen, but there was no doubt the keeper was moving forward before the ball was kicked.

Owen stepped up again and buried it...
Personally, I thought this was an atrocious call -- the absolute definition of gotcha refereeing.

He was at most a half step off his line and it had no impact on the fact that Owen's missed the PK. If he saved the PK, then I could see it being called -- but he went the wrong way and Owens just flat missed the goal.

[Dr. Wankler]

Originally posted by kevbrunton
Personally, I thought this was an atrocious call -- the absolute definition of gotcha refereeing.

He was at most a half step off his line and it had no impact on the fact that Owen's missed the PK. If he saved the PK, then I could see it being called -- but he went the wrong way and Owens just flat missed the goal.

Do we know that's what he called? Because the Sky highlights this morning (all I've seen) showed a Chelsea player about 5 yards deep in the Penalty Area when Owen struck (and missed badly) the first one. Did the ref (or his assistant) make a specific gesture, or was it commentator speculation that leads everyone to assume it was Cudicini and not a guy in the area way too soon?

[kevbrunton]

Originally posted by Dr. Wankler
Do we know that's what he called? Because the Sky highlights this morning (all I've seen) showed a Chelsea player about 5 yards deep in the Penalty Area when Owen struck (and missed badly) the first one. Did the ref (or his assistant) make a specific gesture, or was it commentator speculation that leads everyone to assume it was Cudicini and not a guy in the area way too soon?

That's an excellent point and would make WAY more sense. Fox Sport's World went over this and showed a ton over other penalty kicks, but they didn't pick up the fact that it could have been a Chelsea player in early.

If that's the case, then I'll go back on my "bad call" comment.

However, the one thing that makes me wonder if it was Cudicini off his line vs. someone entering early is that the call apparently was influenced by the AR. Generally the CR is going to call someone entering the area early. The AR might assist on calling the keeper off his line.

[Ismitje]

Originally posted by kevbrunton
That's an excellent point and would make WAY more sense. Fox Sport's World went over this and showed a ton over other penalty kicks, but they didn't pick up the fact that it could have been a Chelsea player in early.


FSW also highlighted Luis Figo's (and others) PK technique, which includes multiple stutter steps and is equally illegal, yet never called. I wondered if, after a stutter step, the goalie came off his line to protest immediately - before the kick - could something come of it? Is there any way to keep this from happening, or do any of you out there call this?

[new old man]

Not having seen the game, or the play, I can only wonder at the variety of possibilities for the reason for the retake raised by only a few posters. It would seem that the keeper, or the kicker, or someone's teammate, or the CR, or the AR, blew it. Beyond that I have not a clue as to what happened.
Ah, sports. What fun. Should we use the jury referee system? Twelve uninvoved citizens trotting about the field to decide things?
But must the decision be unanimous?
I am actually glad to read that the ref apparently reacted to keeper leaving his line- if that is what it was. Regards.

[kevbrunton]

Originally posted by Ismitje
FSW also highlighted Luis Figo's (and others) PK technique, which includes multiple stutter steps and is equally illegal, yet never called. I wondered if, after a stutter step, the goalie came off his line to protest immediately - before the kick - could something come of it? Is there any way to keep this from happening, or do any of you out there call this?
Once again the announcers (aka, old timers) aren't up to date on interpretations.

Luis Figo's penalty kick shown on FSW Report is totally legal. Here is the USSF position paper on it. Lest others think this is just the US position, the USSF paper quotes the IFAB decision on March 10, 2001.

http://www.ussoccer.com/templates/includes/services/referees/pdfs/position_papers/feinting.pdf