Question Number: 27471

Law 13 - Free Kicks 5/22/2013

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27453

I have a follow-up question to Chris' question. Although I've never seen this happen, what if there's an IDFK by the defending team in their own penalty area & it's kicked directly into their own goal?

It has left the penalty area, & would ordinarily be in play...but was never in play because it's off the pitch. Come to think of it, if it were kicked over their goal line just outside the goal (but within the 18 yd. box), the same would be true.

I could an argument that the restart is a retake because it was never in play, but...???
Thanks in advance,

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
The ball is not in play because it has not left the penalty area in a way that puts the ball into play normally. The restart is retaken.
Interestingly I have seen arguments on referee sites by those that interpret what is written in a literal sense and in a legal way. The Laws are not written to be interpreted in that manner.

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Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

It hasn't left the penalty area as the boundaries of the penalty area are understood. The ball must leave the boundaries and be IN PLaY having left the PA. If the ball goes over the goal line while still inside the penalty area boundaries, the kick is retaken

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