Question Number: 27216

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 3/3/2013

RE: rec Other

tj of Ridgefield, CT United States asks...

I happened across this video, 'the fastest opening goal.' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ScYl0Bf3S8
I have a problem with it on two levels. First, it appears one of the players next to the ball is on the wrong side of the center line at the whistle. Second, the ball doesn't seem to be kicked and moved forward, rather it just looks to be tapped before the long goal scoring kick. Both of these are in violation of Law 8, The Start and Restart of Play. Should the referee have ordered a re-take of the kickoff? Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Kickoffs are direct kicks, so there's no need for a second touch before a goal is scored. If the first touch didn't put the ball into play, the second did.

Yes, the players might be slightly over the line, but that isn't a big deal. It happens very often, and the offense, if any, is considered trifling.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi tj,

I can't tell if the ball was kicked forwards - or at all - when the players began to move. If there was no movement, then the next kick would be the one that puts it into play. If it does, then that makes the goal even easier. I'm fairly certain that there was no touch by either of the 2 players standing at the ball, but there's no problem as a goal can be scored directly from a kickoff.

Technically there was a breach of the law by the players being in the opposing half at the kickoff, but the laws of the game also instruct us to ignore trifling breaches of the law.

Players being a few steps over the line has no impact on this sort of incident - but if a ball was passed to either of them then it may be different. If they had been much further into the opposition half then you may want to consider retaking the kickoff, but in my opinion the goal was legitimately scored.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi TJ
A goal can be scored directly from a kick off so there is no need for a touch / kick forward to put the ball in play.
Secondly players straddling the half way line would be common enough and it would be seen as trifling.
I would also make the point that referees do not have the benefit of video or freeze frame. Both wide players are also in the opponents half before the kick. How many refs will spot that when the focus of attention is in on the kick and towards goal with those players not involved or impacting on play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

One of the White players is a foot or so over the center line and one of the Blue players is slightly inside the Center Circle before the kick is taken. Both infractions are trifling and should be ignored by the referee.
I'm a bit surprised by your statement that the ball looks to be just 'tapped' and not kicked and moved forward before the scoring shot. I'm not sure if either player surrounding the ball even touched it but if one of them did 'tap' the ball you would be correct that at that moment the ball was NOT in play, but incorrect that it was a violation of Law 8. The ball simply was not yet in play. You'll note the ball was NOT kicked backwards first as is often seen. That is a violation of Law 8 and a retake would have been ordered. When the ball is kicked backwards and subsequently kicked forwards, it is usually at least 5 yards off the Center Mark when it is kicked forwards. Law 8 requires the ball be on the Center Mark when it is put into play.

If one of the White players did tap the ball, it remained on the Center Line and was properly put into play when it was kicked forward. Since a kick-off is a direct free kick, this is a valid goal.