A penalty kick is awarded against a team which commits one of the ten offences for which a direct free-kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play.

* A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.

* Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or at the end of periods of extra time.

Position of the ball and the players


The ball:

  • is placed on the penalty mark


The player taking the penalty kick:

  • is properly identified


The defending goalkeeper:

  • remains on his goalline, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked


The players other than the kicker are located:

  • inside the field of play
  • outside the penalty area 
  • behind the penalty mark 
  • at least 9.15m (10yds) from the penalty mark


The referee:

  • does not signal for a penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the Law 
  • decides when a penalty kick has been completed


Procedure:

  • the player taking the penalty kicks the ball forward 
  • he does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player 
  • the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward

When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing between the goalposts and under the crossbar:

  • the ball touches either or both of the goalposts and/or the crossbar, and/or the goalkeeper

Infringements/Sanctions:
If the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and, before the ball is in play, one of the following situations occurs:


The player taking the penalty kick infringes the Laws of the Game: 

  • the referee allows the kick to proceed
  • if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken 

  • If the ball does not enter the goal, the referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick to the defending team. 


The goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game:

  • the referee allows the kick to proceed 
  • if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded 
  • if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken


A team-mate of the player taking the kick enters into the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.15m (10yds) of the penalty mark:

  • the referee allows the kick to proceed
  • if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken
  • If the ball does not enter the goal, the referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick to the defending team.
  • If the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goal post and is touched by this player, the referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick to the defending team


A team-mate of the goalkeeper enters into the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.15m (10yds) of the penalty mark:

  • the referee allows the kick to proceed 
  • if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded 
  • if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken


A player of both the defending team and the attacking team infringe the Laws of the Game:

  • the kick is retaken

If, after the penalty kick has been taken:


The kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:

  • an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred*


The kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:

  • a direct free-kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred*


The ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward:

  • the kick is retaken


The ball rebounds into the field of play from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goalposts, and is then touched by an outside agent: 

  • the referee stops play 
  • play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where it touched the outside agent*


* Unless covered by the Special Circumstances listed in Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play