Norwegian referee Cristina Pedersen ruled Canadian goalkeeper Erin Mcleod had violated FIFA's six second rule which resulted in a controversial call and eventual equalizing goal by the United States in Monday's women's Olympic semi-final.Armando Franca/The Associated Press
A look at the FIFA rule book and why Norwegian referee Cristiana Pederson awarded the United States a costly free kick in inside the Canadian penalty area in Monday's women's Olympic soccer semi-final:
LAW 12 - Fouls and misconduct
Offences committed by goalkeepers
A goalkeeper is not permitted to keep control of the ball in his hands for more than six seconds. A goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball:
- while the ball is between his hands or between his hand and any surface (e.g. ground own body)
- while holding the ball in his outstretched open hand
- while in the act of bouncing it on the ground or tossing it into the air