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An incident in a match on June 12, 2005 illustrates the importance of understanding and properly applying the criteria for a handling offense.

In the 84th minute of the game between DC United and the MetroStars, United was given a free kick just above the opponents’ penalty area and a number of MetroStars players took up a defensive position ten yards from the location of the restart. United #21, Dema Kovalenko took the free kick.

One of these defenders, MetroStars # 10 Youri Djorkaeff, lifted both hands slightly above his head and deflected the shot on goal. No infringement was called by the referee. However, it is clear that:

• Djorkaeff made contact with the ball with his hands;
• with his hands above head level, Djorkaeff effectively made the defensive position higher and therefore more advantageous than the Law allows;
• and being at least ten yards from the restart (as required by Law 13), Djorkaeff had more than adequate time to protect himself by means other than the reflexive use of his hands.

Djorkaeff’s use of his hands in this situation was clearly illegal and should have resulted in a penalty kick for DC United. Referees must be vigilant in observing and dealing properly with handling offenses, particularly in such close-in situations.

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