Is hiding the ball allowed in football?

Question

Imagine all our football team except one player form a tight circle, with our hands on the shoulders of the people next to us.

Inside the circle there is the eleventh person with the ball. The whole "construction" is moving slowly towards the opponent's goal. It is inevitable that we will score.

Is this illegal? If yes, according to what rule?

Ste · Accepted Answer

Yes, it would be illegal under "Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct".

An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if, in the opinion of the referee, a player:
  [...]
  impedes the progress of an opponent

In addition to that, you would be likely to receive a yellow card for "unsporting behaviour".

It's a novel strategy but it goes against the spirit of the game and you would then be in danger of having all 11 players on yellow cards.

Aaron98990 · Answer

Most referees would interpret this as going against the 2020/21 Laws of the Game. Take your pick:

Impeding the progress of an opponent without contact

Impeding the progress of an opponent means moving into the opponent’s path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player.

Playing in a dangerous manner

Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.

Personally, I would call Impeding the progress of an opponent without contact which results in a restart of an indirect free kick at the spot of the offense. Also, I believe most referees would not give a yellow card for this unless the offender's intention was to waste time.

Is hiding the ball allowed in football?

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