Graham's Question of the Month

"In the 75th minute of the match, with the score at 1-1, a defender overhits a deliberate back pass to his goalkeeper.  The goalkeeper realises that he cannot get to the ball to play it with his feet and that if he does not do something the ball will cross the goal line between the posts. He therefore dives and pushes it round the post with his hand.

The referee awards an indirect free kick at the point where the handling occurred, but should the goalkeeper be sent off for deliberately preventing a goal scoring opportunity by foul play?"

Graham’s verdict: "No. A goalkeeper should not be sent off in these circumstances as the offence is an illegal back pass and not denial of a goal scoring opportunity."

Congratulations to Dave Barrow of Liverpool Collegiate Old Boys for submitting Graham's favourite question this month.  Dave wins a personal signed copy of Graham's bestselling book, "Seeing Red".

"Whilst observing a local park game recently, a strange incident occurred.  The attacking team shot at goal, but a player at the back of the goal who was warming up reached out from the side of the goal and pushed the ball over the bar.

The shot looked like it was going to go in for a goal and, on the strength of that, the ref gave a penalty. Because it was deliberate handball the ref sent the player off, even though he was a substitute. What are your thoughts?"

Graham’s verdict: "Unfortunately the referee was not correct as the player was an inactive substitute. He cannot be guilty of handball or denial of a goal scoring opportunity because he is not a player on the field at the time of the offence.

As he was a named substitute he should have been cautioned and play restarted for illegal entry onto the field of play at the point the player entered the pitch or on the edge of the goal area (6 yard box) if it came on within the area.

Doesn’t seem fair does it?"

Thanks to Warren Dodd in Manchester for this question.

"Can you score directly from the kick off without any other player touching the ball apart from the player who takes the kick off?"

Graham’s verdict: "Yes."

Thanks to Nigel Jones for this question.

"When a penalty is given and it has to be retaken can a different player take the second one?

Graham’s verdict: "Yes, as long as the referee is informed and the referee must then inform the defending goalkeeper."

Thanks to Brian Mann of Rayleigh Town FC, Essex Olympian League for this question.

"A player from Team A takes a throw-in which he deliberately throws at a team mate (or opponent) to rebound back to him.  Is this allowed or should a foul throw or indirect free kick be awarded to Team B for ungentlemanly conduct?"

Graham’s verdict: "This is perfectly legal, whether a team mate or opponent as long as the ball is not thrown with force."

Thanks to Alan Evill for this question.

This month's prize winners Well done to Dave Barrow of Liverpool Collegiate Old Boys for submitting the 'Question of the Month'. Dave wins a personal signed copy of Graham's bestselling book, 'Seeing Red'. Thanks to all of you who submitted questions this month. We put all your names in a hat and picked out our lucky winner - Neil McKee of St Oliver Plunkett FC. Neil wins a Club Website football. Better luck next time to the rest of you! Ask Graham a question for a chance to win next month's prize! Email you questions to grahampoll@clubwebsite.co.uk and your name will automatically be put into our prize draw for a Club Website football. As with this month, Graham's favourite question will win a personal signed copy of 'Seeing Red'. 'Seeing Red' is available in all good bookshops or online at www.harpercollins.co.uk.

Graham Poll images courtesy of the Daily Mail. Graham Poll's 'Official Line' column appears in the Daily Mail every Saturday. He also appears as a pundit on BBC Radio Five Live, Setanta Sports and the New Football Pools podcast.