Question Number: 22801

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 2/6/2010

RE: Under 9

martin lawes of sheringham, norfolk england asks...

if a goal is scored from a corner and the keeper flaps at it and touches it in the net is this an own goal or does it count to the player

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Martin
Thi is not a refereeing question but one for the relevant competition authority who set the goal scoring criteria.
In many competitions if the ball is headed directly into the goal and it is deflected on its path towards the goal then the goal is awarded to the ball kicker. If it is going away from goal and it is deflected into the goal that is an own goal.
If in this case if it was an inswinging corner and the goalkeeper pushes the ball into the goal, while trying to prevent it going in, it is a goal to the corner taker. If it was going away from goal and the goalkeeper tried to push the ball say over the bar but pushed it into the goal that would be an own goal.
In the Premier League there is a Goals Panel established who decide on these goals based on set criteria. They review video footage of the goals in question. Own goals are generally only awarded when it showed that a goal would unlikely to have been scored without the contact of the ball by the goalkeeper or the defender.

Answer provided by Referee Tom Stagliano

Coach Lawes

There was a Premiership game last weekend in which that very thing occurred.

Essentially, if the ball, on its own flight, could have entered the goal, but brushed the goalkeeper's outstretched hands, then credit the goal to the player who took the corner kick.

However, if the ball would have Not gone into the goal except for the deflection provided by the goal keeper, then credit the goal as an Own Goal.

I tend to favor the attackers and if it looks close, credit the goal to the attacker.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The referee counts goals scored, credited to the team. (Except in those league competitions where the reporting requirements are to report by player. And then to make the final score come out correctly, own goals must be credited to the attacking player who last touched the ball, or it won't be in the right part of the report.)

The statistician counts goals scored, credited to players.