During a penalty kick, if an attacking player enters the penalty area before the kick is taken, what should the referee do?

When an attacking player enters the penalty area before a penalty kick is taken, the correct response is to allow play to continue if the kick is successful. This is aligned with the laws of the game, which state that the actions of players entering the area early do not invalidate the penalty kick if the situation resolves favorably for the attacking team.

While there may be a caution in other scenarios regarding premature entries, the focus during a penalty kick is primarily on the action of the kick itself. If the kick is converted successfully, the goal stands, thus rewarding the attacking team's efforts despite the early entry.

If the penalty kick is missed, the referee would then address the situation according to the rules, but the key point is that a successful kick overrides the earlier violation of entering the area. Other options may suggest punitive actions without regard for the successful kick, which is not consistent with the game’s regulations concerning penalty procedures.