What is the restart when the referee stops the game due to a spectator entering the field and touching the ball?

When a spectator enters the field and engages with the ball, the appropriate restart is a dropped ball. This situation occurs because the unauthorized entry of a spectator can disrupt play, and since the ball was interfered with by someone who is not a player or an official, the game must be restarted without assigning blame to either team.

A dropped ball is specifically designed to handle circumstances where play is affected by an outside interference. The restart allows for fairness, as it gives both teams an equal opportunity to regain possession of the ball. This is important in maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring that the match continues in a sportingly fair manner.

In contrast, an indirect or direct free kick, or a penalty kick, applies to specific offenses committed by players during the match, not to situations involving spectators. These options would not be appropriate in this scenario since the actions of the referee stem directly from external interference rather than a foul or infraction by players on the field.