If an attacker rounds the goalkeeper but a foreign object interferes, what should the referee do?

When an attacker rounds the goalkeeper but a foreign object interferes, the appropriate action is to stop play and restart with a goal kick. The reasoning behind this choice lies in the rules of the game regarding unusual interference during play. If a foreign object, such as a piece of equipment or debris on the field, disrupts the play, it indicates that the game has been affected by an external factor that was not part of the players or usual situational conditions.

In such cases, the referee's responsibility is to address the disruption to the match. Stopping the play is necessary to ensure the safety and fairness of the game. Since the foreign object has influenced the progress of the play, the restart with a goal kick is a suitable consequence, as it reflects that the ball was never deemed to have crossed the goal line under legitimate circumstances.

This situation emphasizes the referee's role in maintaining the integrity of the match and ensuring that external factors do not unduly influence the outcome, leading to just and fair restarts in line with the Laws of the Game.