Question Number: 25607

Law 5 - The Referee 10/15/2011

RE: Village/ town Under 10

Adam Abrahams of Cranleigh, Surrey UK asks...

I reffed an Under 9s game today. A defender punched the ball into his own net. I think he panicked and tried to punch it clear of goal but it ended up in his own goal. Penalty or allow the goal? Because handball happened a fraction first, I gave the penalty. Was this right?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Adam
The correct decision is to allow the goal. The referee can and should play advantage in these situations.
There is no certainty that a goal can be scored from the resultant penalty kick which would then be an advantage to the defending team. Only disallow a goal if the attacking team infringe the Laws of the Game.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You should apply advantage and allow the goal, provided you have not blown your whistle before the ball crosses the line. You could consider a caution for unsporting behavior, but for U9's that's probably not necessary; just sternly inform him that he shouldn't use his hands.

If you don't apply advantage and call the foul, you have to decide whether the player denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity by handling the ball. If so he would be sent off and shown the red card. If the punch directed the ball into the goal when it wasn't headed there before, this would not apply.