What is the proper restart if a player commits an infraction and the ball was in the goal area when it occurred?

When a player commits an infraction within the goal area, the appropriate restart is to place the ball at the nearest point on the goal line. This rule is in place to maintain the integrity of the game and to ensure that the restart happens in a location that minimizes the impact of the infraction on the play. The rationale for this choice is that the goal area is a specific region where various rules apply, including how restarts are conducted when fouls occur there.

Positioning the ball at the nearest point on the goal line allows the game to resume effectively while taking into account the nature of the foul. This approach helps to balance the advantage and minimizes disruption to the overall flow of the match. Other options such as restarting at the center of the field or from a corner flag do not correspond to the specific circumstances of an infraction within the goal area, and giving an indirect kick at the halfway line is not relevant to this particular situation either.

Thus, placing the ball at the nearest point on the goal line is the mandated procedure for such infractions, affirming the correct answer.