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Thursday, 1 September 2005, 17:01 GMT 18:01 UK

When is a direct free-kick awarded?

Thierry Henry takes a free-kick for Arsenal When the ref blows the whistle for a foul or misconduct, it helps the kicker to know if they can shoot straight at goal.

So when is a free-kick direct or indirect?

Here are 10 offences that can lead to a direct free-kick.

When a player:

  • 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

  • Makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling

  • Holds an opponent

  • Spits at an opponent

  • Handles the ball deliberately

    If any of these offences are committed by a player inside their own penalty area then it's a penalty.

    Did you know that if a team kicks a direct or indirect free-kick directly into its own goal, then a corner is awarded to the opposition?




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