Back pass rule

Firstly apologies if this issue has been dealt with in another thread !
I've just caught the afternoon midlands news report about the Wolves V Sunderland game from last night and an isssue over the back pass rule arose when the goalie had to save a goal from his own defender, the Ref gave a free kick on the six yard line and the goaline was occupied by all the defending team and a few attackers, how can this be when the wall has to be 10 yrds from the ball ?

Indirect free kick ruling

The kick is taken from where the foul occurred, unless the offense was committed within the goal area of the team awarded the kick, in which case the kick may be taken from anywhere within the goal area. An indirect free kick within the opposing team's goal area is taken from the spot where the offense was committed. A football field (or pitch) is the playing surface for a game of association football. ...

The ball must be stationary prior to being kicked. Opponents must remain 10 yards (9.15m) from the ball (and also outside of the penalty area if the kick is taken from within the kicking team's penalty area) until the ball is in play. An exception to this is that opponents may be within 10 yards of the ball provided they are standing on their goal line between the goal posts.

Sums it up here I think.

Players can exceptionally be closer than the required distance providing they are on their own goal line. Makes sense else an indirect free kick 6 yards out would be a better scoring opportunity than a penalty!

Cheers Ayrton Mate !

Cheers Ayrton Mate !

No problem.

Locked.