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 at the position of the interference.
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
