Question Number: 25534

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/1/2011

RE: Travel - Competitive Under 15

Anna Lettenberger of Glen Ellyn, IL USA asks...

On an indirect free kick, if the referee deems the ball didn't move, BUT a goal is scored after the goalie deflects it into the goal, should the goal count?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

In order for a goal to be scored at an indirect free kick the ball needs to touch any player, other than the kicker, after the ball is kicked and before entering the net.

If it's touched the goalkeeper on the way in, then this counts, as the goalkeeper is just another player.

In this case, if one player taps it for a teammate to kick and the referee doesn't think the ball moved at the tap, then it doesn't really matter, because the ball touched the keeper.

If, however, the keeper hadn't touched the ball, then whether the referee determines that the ball moves at the first tap does become important (I'm assuming there was an initial tap by a teammate) - if the referee believe the ball moves at the tap, then the kick becomes the 2nd touch and the ball can go straight into the net. If the ball doesn't move, then the kick is the first touch and if the ball then goes straight into the net without touching another player, a goal cannot be scored - instead, the restart is a goal kick

But in either case, if the ball touche the goalkeeper on the way through then a goal is scored - unless there's some other issue (such as, the referee told the players to wait for the whistle and they didn't).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Anna
On an indirect free kick a goal can only be scored if the ball subsequently touches another player before it enters the goal. In your scenario the goalkeeper is 'another player' so when she touches the ball it is in play and the goal is good.
If the GK decided to leave the ball and the ball is kicked directly into the opponents' goal, a goal kick is awarded

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

How could the ball not have moved if it made it's way to the keeper and then scored? I suspect you mean the referee did not believe the ball was properly put into play by a light tap or touch. So what? When the next player blasted the ball towards the goal it was in play and when the keeper touched it, a goal could now be scored