Fair enough. Indirect free kicks are given for technical infringements, offside, back passes, players returning to the field without permission, obstruction without making contact.
I haven’t seen one of those free kicks that you get when there’s a back pass to the keeper and he picks it up, in ages. Think they’re indirect - love those - complete chaos ensues.
Obstruction was removed from the laws of football about two decades ago. Probably more. They replaced it with a new law about impeding the progress of an opponent, still punishable with an indirect free kick - but this can’t be given if there is any contact. Only direct free kicks can be given for that. So all the old ‘obstruction’ offences in the box can only be given as penalties. In effect indirect free kicks are usually only given now for offsides, dangerous play (ie high foot), and a keeper handling a backpass.
Remember Scotland scored from one during great escape season, one of those that was inside the box, great day.
Come on Terrence... you should be able to answer your own question here: Association Football Rules no 179 (8) c: Every referee who allows an indirect free kick is to be considered as trying to hedge his bets. He shall therefore be subjected to trial by umbungo. In layman's terms this means being pegged by the entity known as terry nutkins until you make a spontaneous declaration of innocence or guilt
Just posted about this on another thread. Conceded from one at Bristol City early 90s. We had every fecker in a wall on the goal line and they still scored.
I remember Shearer shooting from a couple & seeing the fear in the defenders eyes as he lined them up