Question Number: 27867

Law 16 - Goal Kick 10/10/2013

RE: rec Under 15

Daniel of vienna, va us asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27471

what if a goalkick hits a defensemen in the back just outside the penalty box and goes in the net... I believe this to be a valid 'own-goal'...

or similar situation on an IFK?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Once the ball is in play (gone beyond the penalty area boundary) and is touched by another player, a goal can be scored against the kicking team at a goal kick. It doesn't matter which other player it touches. So it's unfortunate, but it is an own goal.

You're probably going to have someone come pick up that defender off the ground. The force needed to kick the ball and bounce it off of him 18+ yards into goal before the kicker or keeper can get to it would be tremendous.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Daniel
Once the goal kick or free kick leaves the penalty area and it hits another player , even a defender, a valid goal is scored.
A team cannot score directly on itself from any restart and the key word is directly.
If the ball happened to make it into the goal after leaving the penalty area and without touching another player, say due to high wind, hitting the referee!, the restart would be a corner kick.