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If a player takes a free-kick from outside his own penalty-area and then intentionally handles the ball before it has been played by another player should the referee punish the more serious offence and if so, how?
Yes, by a direct free-kick or by a penalty-kick if the offence took place in the penalty-area.
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May a free-kick be passed backwards?
Yes. The provisions of Law XIII must, however, be observed in respect of free-kicks taken by the defending side from within its own penalty-area.
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A player is awarded a free-kick in his own half of the field of play and he passes it back to his own goalkeeper who misses it completely and the ball enters the net. Is it a goal or corner-kick?
The referee shall award a corner-kick provided that, in the case of the free-kick in the penalty-area, the ball has already gone into play, otherwise the free-kick inside the penalty-area must be retaken.
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lf the ball from an indirect free-kick touches another player and enters the goal should a goal be awarded?
Yes. However, in the case of a free-kick taken by a defender in his own penalty-area, the ball must first be kicked out of the penalty-area into play.
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When a goal-kick or an indirect free-kick is taken from within a player's own penalty-area, when may opposing players enter the penalty-area?
After the ball has passed outside the penalty-area.
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May a free-kick he taken by lifting the ball with both feet simultaneously?
No. It is not accepted that a free-kick is taken correctly if it is lifted with both feet.
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All the defenders are properly lined up at the stipulated distance of 9.15m. (10 yards). The referee signals for the free-kick to be taken and the attackers (three for instance) apply tactics devised to break up the waIl. Very quickly the first attacker runs over the ball without touching it, a second attacker does exactly the same immediately after, which has the effect of making one or two of the defenders move forward, whereupon the third attacker kicks the ball which is parried by one of the defenders who is no longer at the stipulated distance. Should the referee consider that, by employing these tactics, the attacking players took the risk of playing for a surprise and allow play to continue without intervening? Or, on the contrary, for this particular case, should he intervene by cautioning the defending players for approaching before the ball had travelled the distance of its own circumference and have the free-kick repeated?
The free-kick carried out in this manner is correct and the players who have formed a wall at 9.15m distance from the ball must not come forward. The referee could have the free-kick retaken if the ball struck one of the players who had advanced from the wall and thus failed to adhere to the stipulated distance before the ball had travelled the distance of its circumference or he could choose to allow advantage to the attacking team. The player or players guilty of encroachment should be cautioned.
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When taking a free-kick awarded to their team, may players use feinting tactics to confuse opponents?
Yes. Furthermore, if the opponents move nearer than 9.15m (10 yards) to the baIl before it is in play, they shall be cautioned.
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A player wishes to play a free-kick quickly, with an opponent being only 4.5m from the ball. Should the referee allow this?
Yes, and even if an opponent intercepts the ball, play shall be allowed to continue.
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If the referee forgets to raise his arm when an indirect free-kick is taken, does this mean that this indirect free-kick has not been carried out in accordance with the Laws?
No. The award of an indirect free-kick shall be respected, because the initial offence requiring an indirect free-kick is not nullified by the referee's mistake.