when is it justified to call a foul on the defending team on a corner? i'm specifically refering to one in the box that results in a pk. unless the foul also results in a card, i think never.
It's justified whenever the defending team commits a foul in the penalty area. Do all fouls require cards? NO. Then a defensive foul in the area, doesn't require a card. The corner kick doesn't change any of this. I don't recall calling a defensive foul on a corner kick. Usually the defensive team is more organized than in a normal flow of play, and the offensive team is taking chances trying to get that score. An example of a non-card foul would be the keeper carelessly knocking over an attacker while trying to get to a crossed ball.
If, before the corner is kicked, you would not call a foul in any event, because the ball is not in play, therefore all that you could do is deal with misconduct, which might result in a caution or send-off and the showing of a card, but play would still restart with a corner. Once the ball has been kicked, and is now in play, if a player, whether an attacker or a defender commits a foul, and based upon the effect of that foul and your determination of advantage, you might very well stop play, and if by a defender in their own penalty area, the restart would be a PK, or an IFK if impeding (including a charge off the ball), playing in a dangerous manner, etc. If, by an attacker, a DFK or IFK going out, depending on the nature of the foul. The decision to punish misconduct by a player is totally separate from recognizing a foul and resarting. The idea that you have to give a card with a PK for a foul by a defender in close to the goal is not only wrong, but it is often unfair and a cop out. I've seen referees do it when the foul was not tactical, cynical or DOGSO and it is an embarrassment. Sherman
fouls continued IAS, you'll here players say of referees,'i don't think he/she ever played, they don't know what's going on.' it's usually in reference to a foul that shouldn't be called and was. if a keeper knocks an offensive player around going for a cross on a corner the chances are good the offensive player was attempting to pick the keeper.we are discussing hypotheticals, but the players understand and play corners differently than other restarts by the time they are u15. referees need to acknowledge. that's why physical but nonviolent contact on corners should, imo, be ignored on corners, even if the same contact would result in a foul in midfield.in a college conference final 2 years ago two uva defenders literally ripped the shirt off oguchi onyewa and no call was made. great non call.don't want a great game decided by a ripped shirt.
But also keep in mind that players may try to take advantage of a ref scared to call a PK. Occasionally you see an obvious foul in the box that doesn't effect the play much. The defense does it because they feel they can get away with a cheap shot since refs are hesitant to call PKs. Don't allow those fouls. Your #1 priority is protecting the players. If someone is taken out in the box, call the PK whether they are about to score or not. They may argue with your call, but it's the defender who did something stupid, not you. Perhaps they'll learn from their mistake if you call it.
Contact in the mixer produces so many of what could be considered fouls that you really have to only call something if its extremely important. Fouls in the PA usually have a higher tolerance level simply because the outcome is more than likely a goal. The foul has to be something that impacts play in such a way that the attacking team no longer has that same opportunity to score. It doesn't have to be DOGSO or anything that exteme, but it still has to heavily influence the attack. The same should be applied when calling fouls from a corner. Everybody is going to be running and jumping every which way at once. If you can read the intent of a defender to use the opportunity to wipe out an attacker with the illusion of playing the ball, call it. If you see the goalkeeper mug an attacker that isn't impeding him for no reason other than to take him out, call it. But if you're looking at a push in the back or a trip or something that happens during the natural play towards the ball you would most likely be better off ignoring it. Sure these are things that would be called elsewhere on the field but with so much commotion occuring near the goal it really does nothing for the game. You could be technically correct for calling a PK on every single corner if you didn't ignore that stuff. As far as giving a caution off a foul in the PA from a corner, think about what you are trying to gain. You've already spotted the malicious intent of the defender and nailed him for it. He will no doubt be shocked he got caught and brought about a PK. The psychological impact of getting called on the foul is enough to straighten the player out so in most cases there is no need to further his predicament by showing the yellow. I'd be certain to give him an earful though! Overall it's a judgement call by the referee. You can't make up some standard guidelines for all to follow in all situations, YHTBT. Just use your best judgement as to what is most fair to both teams and the game and go with it.
My point was just to watch out for players taking advantge of this. If a player takes a cheap shot or endangers another player some way, you have to call it. You must keep the game safe even if it forces you to call a PK. I agree that a tackle that is a little clumsy or a slight push should probably be ignored if the defender gains no advantage and you aren't sending the message that rough play is okay. Be careful about swallowing your whistle. An obvious foul is an obvious foul -- don't send the message that roughing up a forward is okay because they are in the box.