The image quickly turned on social networks, from the final whistle of Lille-O on Sunday evening (1-1). Geoffrey Kondogbia is about to hit a six meters, playing short towards Geronimo Rulli according to the immutable precepts of Roberto de Zerbi, and the Lille Matias Fernandez-Pardo already has a foot in the Olympian penalty area. The Belgian will go up to the pressing on the Olympian goalkeeper, who will completely miss his recovery, offering the ball to Jonathan David who immediately gives the same Fernandez-Pardo, author of the goal of equalization. OM has just let two points escape which could have allowed it to take a big step towards the Champions League, and the supporters, immediately, point to this detail which could have refused the goal.
What exactly is, in the laws of the game? “”This is Law 16, on the goal kick“, Enlightens Bruno Derrien, former international referee with more than 350 Ligue 1 matches on the clock. The regulations, published and regularly updated by IFAB, the international organization that governs football laws, stipulates exactly that”If an opponent being in the penalty area when the goal kick is executed or entering the penalty area before the ball is in play touches or disputes the ball before he is at stake, the goal kick must be removed“. On the other hand, “If, when the goal kick is executed, opponents are still inside the surface because they did not have time to get out, the referee lets the game continue“.
Clearly, unless an immediate impact on the game, it is admitted that the referee can let the action take place. The whole question is then whether Fernandez-Pardo “disputes the ball before it is at stake“, that is to say before it is”Botté and clearly moved“. “In this case, he is very far away, he will not compete in the ball strictly speakingbelieves Bruno Derrien. Obviously, today, everything is played out a few centimeters. But in the interpretation I have of the rule, there is no manifest error.“
Eric Wattellier, the referee of the meeting, was not used by his assistants Var for any reason which would invalidate the Lille goal. And even if the Belgian striker of LOSC actually has a foot in the surface at the time of the six meters, the main error, on this action, comes from Geronimo Rulli…
