In FIFA (soccer), handball rules are governed by Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct in the Laws of the Game. Here's a breakdown of the key points regarding handball:
1. Definition of Handball
A handball offense occurs if a player:
- Deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm.
- Touches the ball with their hand/arm when:
- Their hand/arm is in an unnatural position, making their body bigger.
- Their hand/arm is above or beyond their shoulder level (even if accidental, unless deflected from their own body).
2. Not Handball (Exceptions):
- The ball touches a player's hand/arm directly from their own head, body, or foot (or that of another close player).
- The ball touches the hand/arm that is close to the body and in a natural position.
- Accidental handball by a player is not penalized unless:
- It leads directly to a goal.
- It immediately creates a goal-scoring opportunity.
3. Goalkeeper and Handball:
- Goalkeepers can handle the ball inside their own penalty area.
- Outside the penalty area, the goalkeeper is subject to the same handball rules as outfield players.
4. Consequences of Handball:
- Free Kick or Penalty:
- A direct free kick is awarded if a handball occurs outside the penalty area.
- A penalty kick is awarded if the offense happens inside the offender's penalty area.
- Yellow or Red Card:
- Yellow card for a deliberate handball to interfere with play.
- Red card for stopping a goal or clear goal-scoring chance with handball.
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