Pénalité

Pénalité, also known as penalty in English, is a type of free kick in association football (soccer) awarded to the opposing team for certain offenses committed by the defending team within their penalty area. The purpose of a pénalité is to provide an opportunity for the attacking team to score a goal directly, potentially turning the tide of the match.

The most common scenario for a pénalité is when a defending player handles the ball inside their own penalty area. However, there are other offenses that can result in a pénalité, such as a player being sent off for a serious foul within the penalty area, or a goal being disallowed for offside.

To take a pénalité, the attacking team must have at least one player inside the penalty area and all other players must be outside the penalty area, behind the penalty mark, and not level with the second penalty spot mark. The ball is placed on the penalty mark, and the kick is taken by a player designated by the referee.

The penalty kick is taken by the attacking player from the penalty mark, which is 12 yards (11 meters) away from the goal. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use their hands to stop the ball, but only within the penalty area. If the goalkeeper commits any offense, such as handling the ball outside the penalty area, a goal cannot be awarded.

Pénalité kicks are a crucial part of football strategy, as they can significantly impact the outcome of a match. Teams often have designated penalty takers who are known for their accuracy and consistency. The pressure and importance of a pénalité kick can lead to high-stakes situations, with both the player taking the kick and the goalkeeper under immense pressure.