Foul Location — Where is the Free Kick Taken?

A free kick is taken from the location where the offence occurred — not where the player falls. A penalty is awarded when the offence occurs inside the penalty area. If a player is fouled outside but falls inside, it is a free kick outside.

The full rule

The location of the foul determines the restart — not where the player ends up. This is one of the most commonly misapplied rules by fans and occasionally by referees. If contact happens outside the penalty area and the player falls inside it, the free kick is taken from outside. VAR specifically checks the point of contact rather than where the player went down. There is one important exception: if a defender starts a hold or foul outside the area and the contact continues inside the area, the penalty is awarded because the offence is ongoing inside the area. Additionally, if a goalkeeper commits a foul inside their own penalty area against an attacker, the free kick is taken from the spot of the foul — which will be inside the area.

Key points

✓Free kick is taken from the spot of the offence, not where the player falls
✓VAR checks the exact point of contact — not where the player goes down
✓Foul outside area = free kick outside, even if player falls inside
✓Exception: continuous foul that starts outside and continues inside = penalty
✓Goalkeeper foul inside their own area = free kick at the spot inside the area
✓Player can be tripped just outside the area and stumble inside — still a free kick outside
✓The line belongs to the area — contact on the line is inside the area

Scenarios

Scenario 1

Contact outside area, player falls inside

No penalty

A defender makes contact with an attacker just outside the penalty area. The attacker's momentum carries them and they fall inside the box.

Correct call: Direct free kick just outside the penalty area — not a penalty. The location of the contact is what determines the restart, not where the player falls.

Common mistake: Awarding a penalty because the player went down inside the box. This is one of the most common errors fans make when analysing incidents. VAR checks the exact point of contact.

Scenario 2

Attacker dribbles in, is tripped exactly on the line

Penalty

An attacker is tripped by a defender and the contact occurs exactly on the penalty area line.

Correct call: Penalty kick. The line belongs to the penalty area — contact on the line counts as inside the area.

Common mistake: Giving a free kick because the contact appeared to be on the line rather than inside. The line is part of the area.

Scenario 3

Foul by goalkeeper on attacker inside the area

Penalty

A goalkeeper rushes out and fouls an attacker inside the penalty area.

Correct call: Penalty kick — the foul occurred inside the penalty area. The fact that it was the goalkeeper who committed the foul makes no difference.

Common mistake: Awarding an indirect free kick because a goalkeeper was involved. Goalkeepers can concede penalties for physical fouls on opponents — their special handling privileges do not extend to outfield fouls.

Scenario 4

Attacker shoots, defender blocks with hand on the line

Penalty

An attacker shoots and a defender on the edge of the box deflects the ball with their arm. The arm is on the penalty area line.

Correct call: Penalty kick for handball. The arm is on the line which belongs to the area. If the arm position was unnatural or the handball was deliberate, a penalty is awarded.

Common mistake: Giving a free kick outside the area because the player's body appeared to be outside. The contact point — the arm on the line — is what matters.