Question Number: 22992

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 3/24/2010

RE: Competitive Adult

Richard Collins of La Mirada, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22985

Thanks to all for the passionate responses. It is still my opinion that Law 8 should be modified to specifically disallow an own goal, especially since the IFAB deemed it necessary to do so for a Corner Kick.
The basis I would use to deny/allow the goal is from Law 5:
'Decisions of the Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding fact connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.'
So if the Referee says it a goal, it is; if the referee says it is not a goal, its not.
Thanks again for your analysis!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Collins
You are indeed correct in relation to Law 5 and if the referee award a goal that decision is final on the field of play. However should the team that has conceded decide that they want to protest the decision they are entitled to do so and the referee could find that the result of the game is voided and a replay ordered because on an error in Law by the referee. This happened a FIFA referee on a penalty kick where he erroneously ordered an IDFK instead of a retake and FIFA overturned the result and ordered a replay.
If in a more likely situation a referee disallowed a goal on a kick off into the opponents goal what do you think would be the outcome?
This highly unlikely scenario of a direct own goal from the kick off is not going to happen IMO and if the wind is indeed that strong I believe that match should not be going ahead.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

You may write to the IFAB and recommend it. They are the only ones who can change the actual wording in the Laws of the Game.