If a spectator prevents a ball from entering the goal, what should the referee do?

When a spectator intervenes in a manner that affects the play, such as preventing the ball from entering the goal, the appropriate action for the referee is to award a free kick to the opposing team. This decision is based on the principle that any external interference that alters the natural course of the game must be addressed to maintain fairness and integrity.

In this situation, since the spectator's action directly prevented the ball from scoring, it disrupts the game's flow and the expected outcome. Hence, the referee must halt the game and provide a restart to the team that was being denied a goal. Awarding a free kick serves as a way to penalize the interference and ensure that the game can continue under the proper rules.

This response reinforces the authority of the referee in handling situations where external factors come into play, and ensures that the game remains fair to all participants.