Question Number: 20323

Kicks From The Penalty mark 10/20/2008

RE: Competitive Adult

Jack of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

PK at the end of a tied match. Time has been extended to allow the taking of the PK in accordance with Law 14.

Attacker makes the shot straight at the keeper, who falls awkwardly but tips it away. The ball moves forward from the save but spins back towards the inside of the post. Before keeper can dive on it (due to injuring himself), and just before the ball crosses the line between the posts, the taker of the kick gets a toe to it and belts it into the back of the net. Decision?

Same situation, but the referee whistles before the ball crosses the line, then shortly after the whistle, the ball crosses the line (this time without the taker's help). Decision?

Does the fact the keeper is injured as a result of the save affect the decisions?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

First situation - no goal. The kicker is not allowed to touch the ball again. If the ball enters the goal after touching any combination of the field, the goal posts, the crossbar or the goalkeeper while expending its energy the goal will count.

Second situation - no goal. The whistle stops play, and that is that. I do hope the referee's car is parked ready to head out of the parking lot!

The injury to the goalkeeper does not stop play - as I noted above, it is the energy from the kick that matters here. I cannot see a situation where an injury to a keeper is such that the penalty kick cannot be completed, or where it would have to be retaken with another keeper in goal. That just isn't possible.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I concur, no goal in either situation.

Even if the goalkeeper is severely injured - he smashed his head into the goalpost and there's blood everywhere - it's unlikely that the referee can't wait that extra second or two to be sure the ball has stopped. But if the referee is quick on the whistle, with the goalkeeper's safety and wellbeing in mind, too bad for the attackers, that ends it. The referee decided that the kick was completed. All referee decisions are final and not protestable.