Question Number: 25262

Law 13 - Free Kicks 7/28/2011

RE: 5 Adult

Matt Evans of Braddan, Isle of Man asks...

a free kick awarded to the attacking team in attacking half of the pitch and the player turns around and kicks the ball back to his goalkeeper to save time, but the keeper wasn't looking and the ball going into the net!

Do I award a goal or a corner?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Matt:

An own goal cannot be scored directly from a free kick under the laws of the game. If no other player touched the ball between free kick and the ball crossing the goal line, it cannot be a goal.

Since the ball crossed the goal line, last touched by a member of the attacking, the restart is a corner kick.

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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matt
In the situation you describe the restart is a corner kick. A team cannot score directly on itself from any restart and the restart is always a corner kick. the only exception are a kick off and a penalty kick as the ball has to be kicked forward.

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Matt. A team cannot score directly on itself at ANY restart. No goal. Award a corner kick.

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