That's the ref's failing, Henry did similar against Friedel and it was disallowed. it is not allowed for good reason, imagine every match where the keeper has to deal with someone trying to challenge them when they are trying to get play going. the big question is what motivated the linesman to lie, even to fans in the top tier it was obvious the keeper did NOT drop the ball
No law in the game states that Matth I'm afraid you're wrong again. Suggest this might make a good evening's read for you or your helper. http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/laws/football-11-11/law-1---the-field-of-play.aspx
Never having been a keeper but...what exactly is the point in bouncing the ball anyway.?!?!? Best case...you catch it again. Worst case...it hits your foot on the way down and into the path of an opponent!! Goal should have stood for the stupidity of the keeper! Play basketball if you want to bounce the thing.
Not a valid reason to ignore the rules unfortunately. Keeper had ball under control and hazard had no right challenging for it, had the lino said the keeper bounced the ball and hazard stole it then the ref would have given a free out. For me though the keeper looked fairly sheepish after doing it he knew he got mugged but still the rules are the rules and you can't blame someone for doing something because he rules say he can do it. The real question is why the linesman told the ref he dropped it, the linesman is the one who is in question here. As for bouncing the ball, I always assumed it is to get a firmer glove grip on the ball before you kick it out, it's why I used to do it.
