A goal is scored when the whole of the ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar. The ball is then deemed out of play.

• Beware of the goalkeeper catching a ball that has crossed over the goal line for a goal and then quickly moving it back in front of the goal line to look as though a goal has not been scored.

A goal is also scored if the goalkeeper inadvertently allows the ball to cross over the goal line (between the goal posts) whilst holding the ball, and throwing it in a sweeping motion from behind his back, whilst standing on or very near to the goal line between the posts.

A goal is allowed if deflected into the goal by the Referee or the Assistant Referee. During play, the Referee and the Assistant Referee are deemed to be part of the field of play. Referees should therefore steer well clear of the vicinity of the goal during play.   (See Question 1 below)

A goal can be scored direct from a kick-off in the centre circle. (See Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play) In other words, a goal can be scored directly   from the first kick of the match from within the centre circle. A kick-off is a way of starting or restarting the match, at the beginning of the match, after a goal has been scored, at the start of the second half of the game, and at the start on each period of extra time where applicable.

A goal can be scored direct from a goal-kick.

The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball in his own penalty area - he can therefore score by throwing the ball from his own penalty area directly into his opponents goal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) but this is very unlikely.

2. When is a Goal is NOT allowed           Go to the top of this page  

• EXAMPLE: If a player takes a free kick, and kicks it into his own goal -  the goal does not count. The correct restart is a corner kick.

A goal is not allowed, if directly following a free kick taken inside a player's own penalty area, the ball crosses the goal line between the player's goal posts, without the ball having left the penalty area - the free-kick must be retaken  - because the ball has not left the penalty area, and therefore it has not yet come into play.

A corner is awarded to the opposition if a free kick taken outside of a player's own penalty area crosses the goal line between the player's own goal posts without having touched another player.

And an interesting point from Referee Paul Faulkner from Essex England:

"Did you know that it is actually almost impossible to score a goal as literally defined by the Laws of the Game?

Law 10 states: A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the posts and underneath the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal".

I would respectfully suggest an action of disallowing a goal in stoppage time at the end of a nil-nil thriller on the grounds that one of the scorer’s side took a foul throw in the first minute of the game might lead to a lynching!!!!"

Good one Paul.............thanks

But, it can be done. Straight from the kick-off! (Webmaster)

3. Competition Rules.                    Go to the top of this page

Be aware of the competition Rules concerning a match ending in a draw. Always read up Cup competition Rules to see if a drawn match needs to go into extra time and/or penalties.

The Referee does not decide the date of any replays - the League fixture secretary does this.

Referees officiating in certain Leagues will always (or should always) receive a copy of the League and Competition Rules at the beginning of the season. These rules should be read and noted. If you are unsure of a particular game's Rules (e.g. extra time or penalties to be played?) then contact your fixture secretary for advice BEFORE you set off for the game.

Decisions of the International F.A. Board

Decision 1

Only procedures to determine the winner of a match, which are approved by the International F.A. Board and contained in this publication (The Laws of Associated Football) are permitted in competition rules.

4. If a defender (not the goalkeeper) deliberately handles the ball in an attempt to prevent a goal.               Go to the top of this page     

5. Actions by Referee & Assistant Referees when a goal is scored.

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If the Assistant Referee believes that a goal has been legally scored, but play momentarily carries on (this does sometimes happen when the ball hits the crossbar, ricochets downwards and over the goal line and then spins back into play) - the Assistant Referee should signal vigorously with their flag to indicate that a goal has been scored. The Referee should then stop play and discuss matters with his Assistant Referee.

If players believe that a goal has been scored, but the ball has not wholly crossed the goal line and into the goal - the Referee and Assistant Referee should:

(a) if the ball remains in play, they should just carry on with the game as usual.
(The Referee can also shout "Play on!" if players are unsure of whether or not a goal has been scored.

(b) if the ball leaves the field of play, they should signal for a goal kick or a corner etc.

The 'thumbs-up' signal is another good way for the Referee and the Assistant Referee to communicate that a goal has been scored.

See Law 6 The Assistant Referee for more detail about communications between the Referee and his Assistant Referees.

• TIP: You should not turn your back immediately after a goal has been scored - keep your eyes on the players for a moment or two until you (the Referee) are satisfied that there will be no recriminations. The moment following a goal is a 'flash-point' period where the Referee is advised to keep his eyes very OPEN! and on the players near the goal area. Walk backwards towards the centre circle - keeping your eyes on the players at all times. Annotate the score in your notebook when you reach the centre circle and not immediately following the goal.

You do not necessary need to blow your whistle to indicate that a goal has been scored.

It is very important for a Referee and an Assistant Referee to be in the best position possible to judge that the ball has completely crossed the line for a goal to be awarded - or NOT awarded.

After a goal has been scored - the game is restarted by a kick-off in the centre circle, taken by the opposing side.

6. Questions and Answers:                  Go to the top of this page

Additional Questions and Answers provided by FIFA covering all of the Laws of the game, can be found on this web site here. The original FIFA Questions and Answers pdf file can be downloaded from the FIFA web site here.

Question 1: What happens when a ball deflects off the Referee and goes over the goal line between the goal posts and under the goal net. Does the goal count?

Answer 1: Yes: The Referee, the Assistant Referees (when they are on the field of play), the corner flag posts and the goal frames are all part of the field of play. If the ball deflects off the Referee and enters the goal, this is no different to the ball deflecting off a divot or stone on the field of play, and entering the goal. The goal counts. This is why most Referees will keep well clear of the goal areas.

If the ball deflects off a dog and then into the goal - then this is different, and a goal does not count. This is external interference, and a dropped ball is the correct method for restarting the game.

Question 2: Is it possible for a goalkeeper to score a goal by throwing the ball from his penalty area, projecting it right down the other end of the field of play and into the opponent's goal, without the ball having touched another player?

Answer 2: In reality, it probably would never happen on a full sized field of play - but nevertheless, if it did happen, then the goal would count. As soon as the goalkeeper throws the ball outside his penalty area, normal rules apply to the ball. He can also score by throwing the ball into his own goal - but his team mates would not be too happy!

To understand this, see below:

If a goalkeeper catches the ball in his goal area, and goes to throw it out, but the ball slips over the goal line and into his goal.

GOAL

If a goalkeeper throws the ball out over the touchline.

THROW-IN TO OPPONENTS

If the goalkeeper throws the ball over his goal line (not between the goalposts).

CORNER

If the goalkeeper throws the ball over his opponent's goal line (not between the goalposts).

GOAL KICK TO OPPONENTS

So it is not any different if the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into his opponent's goal.

GOAL

Because the goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball in his own penalty area - he can therefore score by throwing the ball from his own penalty area directly into his opponents goal  -  but this is very unlikely in on a full sized field of play. But it is possible on smaller pitches.

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Question 3: Does a goal count, if a player taking a throw-in, throws the ball directly into his opponent's goal without the ball touching another player?

Answer 3: Law 15 (The Throw-in) states that a goal cannot be scored direct from a throw-in. In this case, the correct restart is a goal kick to the opponents - and the goal does not count.

If the player threw the ball directly into his own goal, then the correct restart is a corner kick to the opposing team. A throw-in must touch another player before a goal counts.

Question 4: Does the ball have to completely cross over the goal line between the goal posts for a goal to count. Can a goal be awarded if the ball only partially crosses this line?

Answer 4: The ball must wholly cross this line before the Referee can award a goal. The Referee (with the help of his Assistant Referees) is the sole judge whether the ball has crossed this line for a goal or not. There have been many famous incidents when goals have been awarded or not awarded when the ball has been strongly fired towards the goal and deflects downwards from the crossbar onto (or over) the line below. It is impossible for the Referee (or the Assistant Referees) to be in line with the goal line when a shot of this speed is executed. Referees will need to make a 'best judgement' to award a goal or not. Some you win and some you lose. Do not award a goal unless you feel confident that the ball looks as though it crossed wholly over the goal line.

There has been talk of using camera technology to decide if a ball crosses the line or not. This is all well and good at the top level, but what about the majority of Referees who officiate at Park level where such technology will never be used. I am a great advocate that genuine honest mistakes made by the match officials and the players are a fundamental part of the game itself - and this is why it has such a massive World-wide following. Take away the mistakes, and you might as well stay at home and mow the lawn! (Webmaster).

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Question 5: Following a shot on goal, the goalkeeper catches the ball inside his penalty area near his goal line. An oncoming attacker's momentum takes him past the goalkeeper and outside the field of play. The goalkeeper does not look back to see if there was anyone behind him and puts the ball down on the ground and starts to dribble it to the edge of his penalty area, with the intention of kicking it up field. In the meantime, the attacker who had travelled outside the field of play re-enters and sneaks up unseen behind the goalkeeper and manages to surprise the goalkeeper by gaining possession of the ball and scoring a goal. Technically, the Laws state that a player must obtain permission from the Referee to enter or re-enter the field of play - so does the goal count or not?

Answer 5: The momentum of the attacker took him outside the field of play. He did not cross the boundary with the sole purpose of cheating the goalkeeper. In this instance, the attacker had done nothing wrong and the goal should count - albeit that this does seem against the 'spirit of the game' and unsporting. The goalkeeper was at fault for not checking behind him before releasing the ball from his hands. There is nothing much the Referee can do apart from award the goal. The goalkeeper will probably take all the blame for this mistake, because the Referee's decision to allow the goal is correct - because no infringement had occurred.

Question 6: Why does the whole of the ball have to go over the goal line before the Referee can award a goal?

Answer 6: Law 1 (The Field of Play) states that "The field of play is marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries".

The lines themselves are part of the field of play and the ball has to wholly cross the outer edge of the goal line for a goal to be awarded. A goal has not been scored until the ball crosses this line entirely.

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Question 7: If a goalkeeper has caught the ball whilst standing with his feet behind the goal line between his goal posts - should a goal be awarded?

Answer 7: The ball is the relevant factor here. So long as the ball has not wholly crossed over the goal line, then a goal has not been scored. It does not matter where the goalkeeper's feet are, it is the position of the ball that dictates if a goal has been scored or not. Goalkeepers very often make saves when their feet are behind the goal line - they do this by extending their arms forward to keep the held ball inside the field of play.

Question 8: How are drawn matches decided?

Answer 8: This depends very much on the competition rules. Each competition has different methods to decide the result of a drawn (or tied) match. I have listed several methods below:

(a) Draws are allowed in standard league matches. A match may end with the score tied unless the rules of the competition state otherwise.

(b) Replay after full time (90 minutes).

(c) Extra time (if still drawn after completion of extra time, then either a replay or penalty kicks will be taken to decide the winner).

(e) Sometimes 'deciding' games between two teams with the same amount of points may be played in tournaments. For example, if two teams end up with the same points after completing their first round games, and only one team is allowed to progress to the next stage of the tournament - a deciding game will be played between the teams to decide who goes through to the next stage of the tournament.

Note: With regard to the method for determining the winner of a match, the IFAB ruled in favour of extra-time, consisting of two periods of no more than 15 minutes each, followed by kicks from the penalty mark. As a result, matches will no longer be decided by "golden goal' or "silver goal".
Therefore -the following two methods were taken out of the Laws in 2004/2005: 

• The Golden goal - (the first team to score a goal in extra time will be the winner). 
• Silver Goal - (if a team scores in the first half of extra time, play carries on until half time. If the team is still winning by half time, then they win the game, else the second half of extra time if played in full).
  

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Question 9: Very often during a match, a change in the weather will caused the goal line to disappear between the goal posts. The movement of the goalkeeper over the line can also make it disappear. How does the Referee or Assistant Referees know when the ball has crossed this line, if the line does not exist any more?

Answer 9: The portion of the goal line that runs between the goal posts, is the most difficult part to mark out before each game - hence these lines are rarely what they should be. The Referee can ask for the lines to be marked correctly - nevertheless, if no marking equipment is available, the game should still be played. The Assistant Referee can use the upright goal posts to judge if a ball has entered the goal or not. The Referee will just have to use his judgement when allowing a goal to count or not.

Question 10: I keep being told that the Referee is the sole judge whether a goal has been scored or not. Why can't the Assistant Referee decide when a goal has been scored or not, surely he is in a better position to see if the ball has crossed over the goal line and into the goal?

Answer 10: Absolutely. The Referee and his two Assistant Referees are a team. The Assistant Referees are qualified Referees who are well capable of deciding if a goal has been scored or not. The Referee will have briefed his two Assistant Referees before the match, giving them instructions and responsibilities on what to do if they think a goal has been scored. As you say, the Assistant Referees are in a far better position to see if a disputed ball crosses the line or not. A good Referee will utilise his Assistants to the full - giving them many responsibilities that in turn help the Referee control the game better. If the Assistant Referee thinks that a goal has been scored - he usually indicates this by running quickly back up the touch-line towards the halfway line. This indicates to the Referee that a goal has been scored. Some Assistant Referees flag to indicate that a goal has been scored - but flag signals can be misconstrued.

A final point - the Referee should always look to his Assistants for help in such circumstances, but the Referee can overrule the Assistant Referee - albeit that it is not advisable to make a habit of this, as it will lead to a breakdown of the match officials' team.

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Question 11: During a game, an attacker shoots the ball towards goal. As the ball is making its way towards the goal, a spectator enters the field of play on the halfway line and starts to make his way towards the Referee. The ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and the Referee blows for a goal. Why didn't the Referee stop play as soon as the spectator entered the field of play? Why isn't the goal disallowed - because of the outside interference of the spectator?

Answer 11: The Referee may or may not have seen the spectator enter the field of play - either way, the Referee had decided to allow play to continue for a few moments because the outside interference did not actually make contact with the ball and had not interfered in any way with the play itself. In this instance, the ball (and play) was some 50 yards away from where the spectator entered the field of play. The Referee had allowed a few moments for the move to finish unaffected by the presence of the spectator.

If the spectator had deflected the ball, or was able to affect the concentration of the players in any way, then the Referee has no option but to stop play and disallow any goal scored. A goal cannot be allowed in this instance, based on where the ball might have gone without any contact or interference by the spectator. The correct restart would be a dropped ball at the place where play was interfered with (keeping in mind the special circumstances outlined in Law 8 when a dropped ball is taken on a point on the 6 yard line parallel to where the interference happened - if it occurred in the goal area.)

Question 12: If the Referee has missed a goal that the Assistant Referee has seen, how long should the Assistant Referee keep his flag up before the goal counts?

Answer 12: The Assistant Referee should try his very best to gain the Referee's attention before the Referee restarts play. Players, spectators and team officials will also help by calling out to the Referee. Law 5 states that the Referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an Assistant Referee, provided that the Referee has not restarted play. If the Referee does not see the Assistant's signal, and restarts play (with a throw-in or goal kick for example) then the goal cannot be allowed in accordance with Law 5. It is therefore vitally important that the Assistant Referee gains the attention of the Referee before play is restarted.

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Question 13: During a match, an attacking player kicks the ball strongly towards goal, the ball shoots towards the base of one of the posts. The next thing I see, is the ball travelling some twenty yards behind the goal and out of the field of play - but the Referee has awarded a goal. Surely the ball must be in the back of the net before a goal can be allowed?

Answer 13: The goal was awarded because the ball entered the goal just inside the goal post and immediately exited through a small hole in the goal net close to the ground near the base of the goal post. The Referee had obviously seen that the ball had entered the goal, hence the goal was allowed. It is very important to thoroughly check the goal nets before kick-off. It can be very difficult for a Referee to see whether a ball has entered the goal if he is many yards away trying to catch up with play. The most vulnerable part of the goal net is the attachment at the base of each post. A ball aimed at this area is very difficult to judge. I always take small lengths of string to my matches, and am not too proud to tie the nets myself in places where they show any weakness. The Referee can ask the Home team to repair the nets before kick-off - but invariably (at Park level) nobody ever seems to have any string or 'ties'. By ensuring that the nets are properly secured, I increase my confidence at being able to make the correct decisions during the match should the ball end up outside the net during a shot on goal. This makes me more relaxed and able to officiate with more confidence.

Question 14: A Referee blows his whistle to signal that a goal has been scored just before the ball has passed wholly over the goal line, and a defending player clears the ball off the goal line. The Referee suddenly realises that he has made a mistake - should he allow the goal to count - if not, then how should the game be restarted?

Answer 14: The goal does not count because the ball had not wholly crossed the goal line. The Referee should restart with a dropped ball on the goal area line, parallel to the goal line, at the point nearest to where the ball nearly entered the goal.

Question 15: If an attacking player shoots towards an empty goal, and the ball is stopped from entering the goal by a dog that has run onto the field of play -  should the goal be allowed to count?

Answer 15: No. A dog on the field of play is classified as an external interference. If the dog deflects the ball, or was able to affect the concentration of the players, then the Referee has no option but to stop play and disallow any goal scored. A goal cannot be allowed in this instance, based on where the ball might have gone in the absence of the dog. The correct restart is a dropped ball at the place where play was interfered with (keeping in mind the special circumstances outlined in Law 8 when a dropped ball is taken on a point on the goal line parallel to where the interference happened - if it occurred in the goal area.) If a dog, any other animal or child enters the field, the Referee should suspend play until the obstacle is cleared away.

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Question 16: Can a goal be scored after the Referee has blown his whistle to stop play?

Answer 16: No. A goal can only be scored during periods of play. Balls that enter the goal after the Referee has blown his whistle to stop play do not count.

Referees should only signal that a goal has been scored when they are absolutely sure that the ball has wholly crossed the goal line, beneath the crossbar and between the goal posts. If the Referee stops play for an infringement before the ball has wholly crossed the goal line, the goal is not valid, and the match should be restarted according to the nature of the infringement

Question 17: If a defending player player fouls an attacking opponent in an attempt to prevent a goal (and the Referee does not signal to stop play) but the ball continues on into the goal, does the Referee have to award a free kick or penalty to the attacking team, for the foul previously committed?

Answer 17: No. The Referee should allow a few moments to allow any advantage to accrue for the attacking team. In this case, the goal is a better advantage award than a free kick. The goal is valid and the defending player can be cautioned or sent off, depending on the nature of the foul.

If an attacking team infringes any of the Laws of the Game before scoring a goal, then the goal is not valid.

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Question 18: During an indirect free kick, an attacking player blasts the ball directly towards goal. The defending goalkeeper makes no attempt to save the ball from going in the net - but just stands there watching the ball enter his goal - whatever is he doing?

Answer 18: A goal cannot be scored direct from an indirect free kick (Law 13). The ball must touch another player before a goal can be valid. The goalkeeper was aware of this stipulation, but the attacking kicker was not.

Question 19: If an Assistant Referee witnesses (and signals for) an act of violent conduct by the attacking team, unseen by the Referee, and play continues and a goal is subsequently scored - what action should the Referee take if he then sees his Assistant's signal?

Answer 19: As long as the Referee has not restarted play with a kick off, the goal should be disallowed and the guilty player sent-off for violent conduct. The match should be restarted with a direct free kick (or penalty kick) at the place where the incident occurred. 

Question 20: Nigerian Finidi George was involved in a goal celebration whilst playing in Spain which involved the wearing of a cowboy hat. How would a British Referee deem the use of props such as this for a post-goal piece of fun. And are players allowed to remove their jersey after scoring? Is there a ruling?

Answer 20: The FIFA ruling (Season 2004/2005) on celebrating a goal now states that any player removing his jersey after scoring a goal shall be cautioned for unsporting behaviour. There does need to be a limitation to the amount of over-exuberant celebration that seems to be getting longer and longer these days. It is not the joy of scoring a goal itself that the IFAB are trying to cut out, it is the way that it is celebrated. Taking a shirt off can lead to crowd trouble and can take the game backwards in respect to cleaning up its image. If players took their jersey / shirt off and put it back on again after a short while, all these Law changes would probably never have been needed. But the celebrations had become very drawn out and over the top. If you give players a free reign, they will take it to the very extremes as they have shown in the past when the shirt removing punishment was more relaxed.

Previous to this, a FIFA ruling (Season 2001/2002) on celebrating a goal was as follows:

"The Board recognised that the celebration of a goal was an important and emotional part of football and relaxed the earlier statement in FIFA Circular 579 of 23 January 1996 that any player removing the jersey while celebrating a goal should be cautioned. Players will no longer be cautioned if they remove their shirt but they will be cautioned for unsporting behaviour if their celebrations are provocative and intended to incite or ridicule opponents or opposing spectators. Players guilty of excessive time-wasting while celebrating a goal will also be cautioned."

In this respect, although the International Football Association Board and FIFA recognise the natural and emotional joy of scoring goals, and the need for players to show (and release) their emotions after a goal has been scored, there is a need to keep celebrations sensible.

As far as other forms of celebration are concerned, so long as there is no wasting time or inciting the crowd or unsporting behaviour or anything obscene - the emphasis is for Referees to use common sense players are celebrating the scoring of goals. Notwithstanding this, players at the top level also have a responsibility not to turn such celebrations into a circus.

There was an occasion some years ago, in South America when "The Great Carrot Controversy" broke out. Atletico Mineiro striker Edmilson Ferreira celebrated scoring a 20th-minute goal in the Brazilian championship game against close rival America-Belo Horizonte by pulling a carrot from his shorts and munching on it. "What's up, doc?" The consequences were that crowd trouble ensued both during the game and for many games after.

There was a proactive attempt in Britain by soccer officials in the 1990’s, assisted by the police, to ‘crack-down’ on provocative gestures in the Premier League games – and to some extent, this has worked. The types of goal celebrations that can not be tolerated, are goalkeeper Mark Bosnich's Nazi-style salute to the crowd: Goal line (cocaine type) sniffing by Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler.: and players running into the crowd to celebrate.

It was not so long ago that players were indeed celebrating goals by getting together and playacting out scenarios (such as the rocking of a baby for those players who had just become fathers). There was nothing much wrong with this – on the contrary, it seemed to be the only time that players managed to put a smile on their faces in what is quickly becoming a far too serious (die for your team/football is more important than life) sport. Players very often throw themselves across the grass like skydivers joining hands in a human star-like formation. They have been known to flap in formations like roosters; waddle like ducks; form chorus-lines, or even in the case of Nigerian World Cup star Finidi George, following his goal in the 1994 World Cup, crawl to a corner flag, raise his ‘hind’ leg and pretend to use the corner flag as a dog does on a lamp post.

The scoring of a goal is a highly emotional time. Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta once said, "Goals are like bread. I need them to live."
And Latin American announcers have their own ritual, by screaming out "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAL!!!" after each score.

The safety of everyone involved is paramount during goal celebrations. Supporters could be seriously hurt in any ensuing crush. Officials and Football Associations want to discourage the bad types of behaviour – at the same time, they have re-recognised that emotion is spontaneous, and so long as it does not endanger anyone, or wastes time, then it should be allowed to naturally express itself. And let’s face it, certainly does add a touch of humour to the game.

Question 21: If an attacking player with plenty of time and no goalkeeper in front of him, gets on his knees and heads the ball on the ground into his opposition's open net, is this a goal?

Answer 22: As long as the player does not score a goal with his hand, or no other infringement of the Laws has occurred, a player can use any part of his anatomy to score a goal. Although this method is sometimes used in a 'fun type' way, it has sometimes been used to poke fun at the opposition team. But there is not much the Referee can do about this. It is a legal goal. It could be argued that placing your head in this position is tantamount to enticing dangerous play. If a player does this whilst there are opposition players very near to him who are making a play for the ball, the Referee could by Law 12, stop play for dangerous play and restart with an indirect free kick to the attacking team, taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the dangerous play happened in the goal area.
Thanks to Jed Dugish for this interesting question.

Question 23: The ball is high up in the air to the right of goal area. The goalkeeper and an attacking player both challenge for the ball together. The ball breaks for the attacking player who plays the ball across goal area towards a colleague who scores a goal. The attacking player who made the challenge for the high ball, did not foul or impede the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper stayed down injured after the challenge. Should the Referee give the benefit of the doubt to the goalkeeper and stop play immediately - and before the goal was scored?

Answer 23: Indeed this is a tricky situation for the Referee to deal with. To understand this in an easier way, apply some lateral thinking. Imagine that this incident took place between two players on the halfway line (no goalkeepers involved) and one of the players fell to the ground injured (no head injury or serious injury involved). The Referee in most cases would allow play to continue so long as the injured player did not require immediate treatment.

Now take this incident back into the penalty area. And ask yourself, should the Referee decide differently just because the incident is in the penalty area, and involves a goalkeeper?

I think that you will find that the answer is that both incidents should be treated the same.

As long as no foul had been committed, and the injury to the goalkeeper was the result of a fair challenge for the ball – then the goal should stand.

This situation becomes more difficult, if instead of the goal being scored almost immediately after the challenge, it ricochets back up towards the halfway line (for example, the ball travels out of the penalty area). In these cases, the Referee is advised to stop play to allow the goalkeeper to receive treatment. The thinking behind this is that both of the teams should have a fit goalkeeper in position at all times. (See Law 3 The Number of Players – "each team should consist of not more that eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper"). Nevertheless, if a fair challenge is made on the goalkeeper, and a goal is scored in relatively short time, then there is no reason why this goal should not count.

It is generally known that Referees apply greater protection to goalkeepers, and long may this continue. But this does not mean that the Referee should immediately stop play if the challenge on the goalkeeper was a fair one. It is a case of the Referee deciding each case on its merits.

As a rough ‘rule of thumb’……… if the likelihood of a goal being scored is not IMMEDIATELY imminent, the Referee is advised to stop play immediately. The restart would be a dropped ball, at the place where the ball was when play was stopped.

Question 25: If whilst the ball is in play, the goalkeeper has the ball in his hands after making a save, but subsequently accidentally throws the ball into his own goal net, is it a Goal or does the Referee disallow the goal and award a corner kick to the opposition?

Answer 25: A goalkeeper is a unique individual in every team, and is the only player who has the privilege of being able to handle the ball inside of his own penalty area. He is allowed to throw the ball back into play, over the touchline, over the goal line or into the goal - all without infringing any of the Laws of the Game.

Therefore, if (during play) he throws the ball into his own goal (accidentally or on purpose), then a goal is awarded against his team. Conversely, if he manages the nearly impossible feat (from within his own penalty area) of throwing the ball into his opponent's goal, then a goal is awarded to the goalkeeper's team.

Question 26: A team scores a goal. Immediately after the goal has been scored, the Referee whistles for the end of the half. Now he notices the signal of the Assistant Referee, which indicates an offside infringement in connection with the goal scoring. Should the Referee allow the goal to count, or can the Referee still consider the Assistant Referee's signal. What action should the Referee take?

 Answer 26: Law 5 states that "the Referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an Assistant Referee, provided that he has not restarted play." Therefore, it is still possible for the Referee to disallow the goal.

 The Referee should always consult with his Assistant Referee when a signal is received from them, that indicates a possible dispute with the legality of a goal being scored. The Referee should consult his Assistant Referee to reconsider all of the evidence available to him, before making a final decision.  

• If, after considering all of the evidence, the Referee decides that, at his discretion, there was no offside (even though the Assistant Referee advises differently), the goal will be allowed to count and the half is ended.

• If the Referee (at his discretion) agrees with the advice of the Assistant Referee (i.e. - that an offside infringement did occur before the goal was scored) then the goal should be disallowed. In this case, the remaining duration of the half to be played (when the offside offence occurred) can be considered in accordance with the Law 3 - ruling covering 'allowance for time lost'.

 If an offside infringement did occur before the goal was scored, then the following should question be considered:

• When the offside infringement occurred, was there a reasonable amount of time remaining in the half, to allow for an indirect free kick to be taken that could influence the result of the game (i.e. - did the offside infringement occur 10 or more seconds before the end of the half)?
• The answer should be no, if the offside infringement occurred at a very late stage in the half when there was not sufficient time to reasonably restart the game with an indirect free kick (i.e. the offside infringement occurred in the very last seconds of the half). In this case, the half should be considered to have ended.
• If the answer is yes - then play could be resumed at that point in time where the offside infringement occurred (i.e. - 44 minutes 50 seconds).

 The Referee always makes the final decisions in conjunction with the advice from his Assistant Referees.  The moral of this answer is - that the Referee should always seek the truth and respond fairly to both teams.

Question 27: I was Refereeing a game the other day, and the following scenario occurred:
a. The ball rebounds off the defender's hand after he had deliberately attempted to prevent the ball entering the goal.
b. The ball falls conveniently to an attacker.
c. The Referee delays his whistle.
d. The attacker makes a hash of his attempt (or the goalkeeper saves the shot), and a goal is not scored.

Should the Referee now send off the defender for attempting to deny a goal scoring opportunity?


Answer 27: As soon as the Referee delays his whistle (or even delays his decision in his mind), he evokes the advantage clause, and allows the attacking team to continue playing, and have another attempt to score a goal.
As soon as the attacking team take a second shot on goal, the advantage phase of play ceases, and play should not be brought back. It makes no odds whether goal is scored or not; the advantage has been granted (and taken), and there is no going back to punish the original attempted DOGSO offence by awarding a penalty kick and a sending off. A yellow card would suffice here.
To award a penalty kick, after a second shot has been taken, would be tantamount to awarding the attacking team two chances at scoring a goal, and this cannot be fair. In fact, they have had three chances, if you include the original shot.

The advice is simple:

Whilst the ball is in the penalty area during an attacking phase of play, increase your alertness, and be prepared to make a very quick decision. In other words, be ready to blow your whistle immediately.
If an advantage situation occurs for the attacking team, only allow it to proceed if the predicted scoring of a goal (or a reasonable attempt on goal) is 100 percent certain in your mind.
As a general rule of thumb, do not allow advantage to the attacking team in the defenders' penalty area; as this can open a Pandora's box of problems.

Question 28: An attacking player kicks the ball towards his opponent's goal. The goalkeeper stops the ball for a moment with his hand and traps it against the inside of the square goal post. The ball remains against the goal post at all times, but the momentum is such, that the goalkeeper accidentally rolls the ball around to the back face of the goal post. The ball remains in contact with the goalkeeper's hand and the surface of the goal post. The goalkeeper quickly rolls the ball back to the front of the goal post, (again, the ball remains in constant contact with the goalkeeper's hand and the goal post). Has the ball travelled completely over the goal line, for a goal to be scored or not?

This is the end of Law 10 - The Method of Scoring page

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