What call should be made if the goalkeeper picks up the ball outside of the penalty area?

When a goalkeeper picks up the ball outside of their penalty area, it results in a direct free kick being awarded to the opposing team. This situation occurs because the Laws of the Game state that a goalkeeper is not allowed to handle the ball outside of their own penalty area. The direct free kick is given to the opposing team from the spot where the incident occurred, allowing them an opportunity to take a shot on goal without any intermediary actions like needing to touch the ball a second time.

This key decision is rooted in the principle of protecting the play and maintaining fair competition, as goalkeepers have special privileges inside their penalty area. If the goalkeeper steps outside that boundary and handles the ball, it constitutes an infringement of the rules, warranting a direct free kick.