Twinkle Toes Defensive Midfielder Scores

How to avoid the pony? Guidance from FIFA

With a good discussion at after match drinks about what is the proper technique for a throw in and whether, although ugly looking, Rob's technique was in fact correct it is probably good to look for expert opinion to ensure that pony is never awarded again for this reason.


So the rules according to FIFA - (for all the official rules see here)

Procedure
At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower:
• faces the field of play
• has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line
• holds the ball with both hands
• delivers the ball from behind and over his head
• delivers the ball from the point where it left the field of play
All opponents must stand no less than 2 m (2 yds) from the point at which the throw-in is taken.
The ball is in play when it enters the field of play.
After delivering the ball, the thrower must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.

Blah, blah - a bit of talk about penalties and free kicks if the person throwing in the ball touches it again before anyone else.

Then - For any other infringement of this Law the throw-in is taken by a player of the opposing team

So with the definition coming down from up high was Rob (un)fairly penalised?