Law 12 para 2 An indirect free kick is awarded when ... prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it. If he'd been punting it and the player had jumped to block it, he'd have been called for it and everyone would have said "yep, can't do that". what is the difference?
Yes but watch the replay. The keeper had already released it when the Benzema attempted to kick. Good goal.
He didn't prevent the GK from releasing the ball and he wasn't in the process of releasing it. He had already released it. What you are quoting applies to the GK throwing the ball into the air to punt it.
https://i.imgur.com/Rt16NRk.png I see the movement start before the ball was released. Benzema enters the box upon possession, then interferes with the release into the field using that advantage.
If the GK throws the ball 20 yards, then anyone is free to play it. As a referee you need to determine when the GK was no longer in possession of the ball. Based on the LOTG, he was no longer in possession when Benzema played it.
I agree it was a good goal. But if the same play had happened on a goalkeeper's punt, and Benzema had gotten his head (or any other legal body part) on the ball right after it left the keeper's foot, most of us most likely would have called keeper interference. Just some food for thought.
I'm just pointing out the extreme to your point. You said it applies to "any release of the ball". So I pointed out a case where it clearly doesn't apply. Karius wasn't throwing the ball up into the air to punt it. Benzema did not interfere with his ability to release the ball. He didn't challenge him when Karius was in possession of the ball.
Benzema made a movement to get in the way of the release of the ball prior to the ball being released. That is interference to me. There still is a gray area of how much distance between the player and the goalkeeper before that movement doesn’t constitute interference, i.e. 20 yards down field. It all boils down to ITOOTR
The only problem is this wasn't in open play. Benzema started at the top of the box, then made deliberate movement towards the interference. He even begins to stick his foot out prior to release within the box (while making movement towards the interference).
I’m on the side for interference. If he did that on a punt most of us would call it. I don’t see the difference.
Because he's still considered to be in control of the ball when throwing it up into the air to punt it. The question that needs to be answered is "Did Benezema challenge Karius while it was in control of the ball?" My answer to the question has been made clear. If you think he did challenge him then that's your decision as the referee.
Why do you keep going back to that? It isn't what happened. The law is about interfering with the release of the ball. He interfered with the release. While Karius was not punting.
Haven't seen it live (watching the crossfit regionals instead) but going on the pictures posted I have to side with interference too. Benzema was moving in close and stretching for it before Karius had released it, that has to be interference IMO.
If someone blocks the punt we call interference. They aren’t interfering with the toss. The ball has come off the foot but we don’t allow the block.
I'm fine with the Benzema goal, but wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the Ramos tackle on Salah that led to Salah's injury. In real time I thought it was a foul, moreso on replay, and given the injury it caused I would have a yellow card as well. I see Ramos wrap up his arm and pull him down with him. Thoughts?