Genuinely dont know if the ref got that right If a defender slices a ball back to the keeper unintentionally its not a back pass If a keeper clearing a backpass slices it back to himself - how is that any different? Anyone know the actual rule?
It shouldn't be any different. A back pass is a back pass. Note intentionally below. The back-pass rule prohibits goalkeepers from intentionally handling the ball if it has been deliberately played to them by a teammate, or from intentionally handling the ball when receiving directly from a throw-in. If a player passes the ball back with any part of his body except his feet, the goalkeeper can pick it up. An unintentional pass or touch is not considered an offense. If a goalkeeper does pick up the ball after a deliberate back pass with feet or a throw-in, an indirect free-kick will be awarded to the opposition on the spot where the goalkeeper touched the ball with his hands. The offense is the goalkeeper touching the ball with his hands, not the actual back-pass.
Hard to tell, if it was a back pass Steele can't use his hands until another player touches the ball. if he's sliced it, that is still a controlling touch even if it's crap. I'm just waiting for Hemsworth to come on and slate Steels's kicking again.
