Question Number: 10066

Law 10 - Method of Scoring

RE: Pro - UK Adult

cn of , asks...

Can the referee score a goal in football (soccer)? Say for instance that the goalkeeper kicks the ball to the referee in open play, if the referee for some reason hits the ball into the goal, would the goal be allowed?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

A goal is scored when the ball wholly crosses the goal line, under the cross bar and between the goal posts so long as the team scoring the goal has not infringed the Laws of the Game. ..No where does it stipulate which player or what part of the field causes the ball to cross the goal line. If something outside the field enters and interferes with play, play stops and the restart of play is dropped ball. ..The referee may, if he chooses, kick the ball into either goal during open play and score a goal for either side. It isn't done all that often, BUT it has happened. Not just the beer leagues either.....Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the ball is in play and crosses the goal in accordance with Law 10, a goal is scored. The referee is considered to be part of the field, NOT outside interference. If the referee happened to hit it into the net it would be a valid goal unless he had stopped play.

Answer provided by Referee Morley

As my colleagues have stated, it would indeed be a goal, however the referee may find himself brought up before the relevent authorities and asked to explain himself. It happened here in the UK and the referee was banned for 3 months. He scored a goal for the visitors in a match they were losing 14 - 1 and the FA failed to see the funny side!