Question Number: 25709

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/5/2011

RE: Competitive Under 15

Theo Hatzipetros of Cambridge, MA USA asks...

Even though this might sound simple I'm still unclear.
An indirect freekick is given inside the penalty area. The attacker kicks the ball into the goal (no teamate of his touches the ball) and the goalie gets his fingers on the ball before it end in his net. Should the goal count? If not, what's the restart?
Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Yes, the goal counts because it touched another player before entering the goal. The goalkeeper is a player.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

For an indirect free kick to result in a goal it needs to touch a 2nd player before entering the goal.

The goalkeeper always counts as a player, therefore his touch will suffice.

A goal would stand.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Theo
The only requirement on an indirect free kick is that it cannot enter the goal directly. In this case it has been touched by a player, the goalkeeper so a goal is awarded.
Had the goalkeeper been aware of the law he could have allowed the ball to enter the goal and the restart would have been a goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

All that is required for an indirect free kick to result in a goal is that the ball is touched by any player other than the kicker before it crosses the goal line in accordance with Law 10. If the keeper touches the ball before it crosses the goal line and it goes into the net, it's a goal and the restart is a kick off.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Remember with indirect free kicks there are two parts:

1. when is the ball in play and
2. when can the ball score

The ball is in play when the ball is kicked and moves.

The ball can only score if it touches a second player (any player except the one who kicked it, either team, including keepers) before entering the goal.

Since the ball was kicked into play here, and touched the keeper, it is a goal.

If it had not touched the keeper, it would be a goal kick because the ball has left the field over the goal line, a goal was not scored, and it was last touched by a player on the attacking team.