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For me the player that stooped to head the ball is endangering himself. I'd give an indirect free kick to the defending side.

I've scanned the Laws of the Game and cannot find the word 'ceremonial' anywhere. Please can you provide the exact law and sub section (if appropriate)

All direct free kicks are taken (or should be) from the place where the offence occurred unless it is a PK. Same for throw-ins. Yet anywhere else on the field where a direct FK is awarded, the team awarded the FK is not marked by a foam line and the kick is normally taken within a metre or two...

At a FK, if the Ref marks the spot with his foam, and no part of the ball should be in front of the foam line. If Toney had moved the ball backwards instead of to the side, nobody would complain. Perhaps instead of the Ref drawing a line, he should place the ball first and then spray a circle...

I've always believed that goalkeepers seem to be a protected species. However, this appears to be the exception to the rule. For me, the challenge was normal contact but to give a penalty seems very odd indeed. As to WH being denied a penalty immediately afterwards when Bowen was rugby tackled...

What makes you think this only occurs inEngland?

My late father was a referee and subsequently an assessor. Some years ago he was reffing a very competitive Sunday League match between the two top teams in the league. He had cause to send send off a player and in those days, before red and yellow cards, the ref would have to take the player's...

My late father (a former referee) once had an incident where a defender shouted "leave it Clive" to a teammate but unfortunately the opposing attacker's name was also Clive and he pulled out of the challenge. My father hesitated and then decided to do nothing as he wasn't sure what to do!! Is...

I know that (accidental handball dropping at the feet of another attacker) has been specifically ruled as legal in the last change to the handball law. So if it doesn't drop to another attacker it is hand ball, but if it does it isn't. No logic there but the laws are the laws.

A goal scored directly from a hand is an unfair advantage and, therefore, should be penalised. If a player handballs it and it drops directly to a teammate who scores, then I will award the FK as I believe it is not in the spirit of the game. I have had absolutely no problems with teams where...

You are correct. It was just that the ref in question didn't know and thought that bouncing and catching the ball was a literal offence. He should never have penalised the keeper

Because it is common sense. If I interpret that the handball is deliberate or that the player gains an unfair advantage, then I award the FK. Accidental handball where a player simply cannot avoid being struck on the arm/hand should not be punished as I believe it ios not in the spirit of the...

touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player I saw a referee give an IDF against a goalkeeper because he bounced the ball and caught it before throwing it out to a teammate. A literal interpretation of the law which caused a huge melee from the...

I take the view that if the "offending" player gains an advantage from the handball then I will give the free kick. The only exception being "ball to hand" where the player has no way to avoid the contact.

This is where the problem lies. Some say a foul throw, others would not. If the law forbids a handspring run up and crouching to throw, then surely it would state this? When someone says "he is standing over there", it implies he is standing still. You wouldn't say "the guy with the upright...

The law states "stand facing the field of play" which could imply standing still. One can then interpret this to mean that the thrower cannot take a run up before throwing the ball into play as the entire action is moving forward not standing still. I think this is more about what the law...

It doesn't say anything about crouching. I would allow it as I cannot see any definitive infringement

I saw this at a game last weekend. A player taking a throw-in crouches down and throws the ball to a teammate's feet. The thrower's feet are on or behind the touchline (his feet the only part of his body touching the ground), and the ball is released legally from the thrower's hands. Is this a...

As I said, common sense is of paramount importance. I would warn the GK to release the ball once and, if he does it again, I then give a IDFK. Throw-ins and free kicks to be taken within an acceptable distance from where the ball went out or the infringement occurs. Time wasting gets one verbal...

Wow!! How many other laws should the referee ignore? If I see a defender touch the ball last before it goes out over the goal line, I give a corner - because that's what the LOTG says I should do. If the attackers get "upset" because I give a FK to the GK, then so be it, they will get over it...