What should the referee do if an outside agent interferes with play in football/soccer?
What happens if…
The referee can allow the game to continue.
The referee stops play and the outside agent must be removed from the pitch. Play restarts with a dropped ball.
The goal can be awarded if the interference did not stop any defenders or the goalkeeper from playing the ball.
The kick is retaken.
Penalty kick: play restarts with a dropped ball. During penalties: the kick is recorded as missed.
Play restarts with a dropped ball, unless the player left the pitch without the referee’s permission, in which case an indirect free kick is awarded to the other team
