257. Daniel Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge You are the Ref

Click to enlarge, and debate the strip below the line.

Keith Hackett's verdict

1) Award an indirect free-kick to the attacking team. Once the keeper has released the ball on the ground it has to be played or touched by another player before he can pick it up again. That's why goalkeepers need to be so alert to make sure opponents are well away from them before they let go of the ball like this. Thanks to Tom Hawkins.
2) You have two options here: stop play immediately and show the defender a yellow card for unsporting behaviour or, if the kick-taker has continued his run, await the outcome of the penalty. If the player scores, allow the goal and then caution the defender or, if he misses, award a retake and, again, show the defender a yellow. It is not a red card offence as the ball has to be in play for it to count as denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Thanks to James Stillman.
3) It's not a penalty: the defenders have not committed an offence by holding hands – and neither has the forward by standing in an offside position. That only becomes an issue if he plays or touches the ball. For instance, if the ball was to rebound off the goalkeeper, post or crossbar to the attacker he will be considered to have gained an advantage and will be declared offside if he touches it. So there is no reason to intervene here: deal with the outcome of the free-kick in the usual way. Peter Jordan wins the shirt.

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