DIRECT FREE KICK

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

• kicks or attempts to kick an opponent;

• trips or attempts to trip an opponent;

• jumps at an opponent;

• charges an opponent;

• strikes or attempts to strike an opponent;

• pushes an opponent.

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following four offences:

• tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball;

• holds an opponent;

• spits at an opponent;

• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area).

INDIRECT FREE KICK

An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:

• takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession;

• touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any other player;

• touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate;

• touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate.

An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee:

• plays in a dangerous manner;

• impedes the progress of an opponent;

• prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands;

• commits any other offence, not previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player.