Question Number: 25315

Law 16 - Goal Kick 8/16/2011

RE: All of the above, Adult

Rick McDowell of Tulsa, OK USA asks...

It is a windy day in Oklahoma. A goal kick is taken against the wind. The AR confirms that the ball exited the penalty area in the air. A gust blow the ball back into the goal. What is the restart?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Let's see...a goal kick is kicked directly into play. The ball leaves the field over the goal line between the posts having not touched another player after the kick. But, we know that a team cannot score against itself on a restart (exception being dropped balls), so we know it is not a goal. Ball left the field last touched by a defending player over the goal line. What is the ordinary restart in such a case?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Once the ball leaves the penalty area on a goal kick, it is in play. But we know a team cannot score directly on itself at any restart. If the ball has not touched any other player than the restart would be the same as if the keeper had kicked the ball over the goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rick
A team cannot score directly on itself at any restart so while the ball has entered the goal directly from the goal kick the restart in this case is a corner kick. It is not a retake as the ball was in play when it left the penalty area. It could make a difference if a foul was committed for the short period the ball was in play.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 25326