Question Number: 29523

Law 13 - Free Kicks 7/4/2015

RE: Rec Adult

Matthew of Goulburn, NSW Australia asks...

In our game an indirect free kick was taken, and even though it was shot straight at the goal, the opposition goalkeeper did play at and touch the ball before it entered the goal.

Would this be a goal or a goal kick?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mathew,
as long as the referee ...INDICATED.... it was in fact an INDFK by raising the arm then the keeper touching the ball qualifies as a second touch and the goal is good. There is NO goal kick possible unless it entered the goal without touching another player except the kicker. IF the referee had ...FAILED.... to indicate it was an INDFK then the kick must be retaken no matter the result of a goal or no goal. The team taking the free kick is burdened by not being aware it must touch two to score and the team defending is burdened by not knowing if they allowed it to enter the goal it would not count.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matthew
The correct decision is to award a goal. The touch by the goalkeeper nullified the indirect part of the kick. Had the goalkeeper allowed the ball to enter the goal untouched the restart would have been a goal kick.
Now there is only one caveat in all this. If the referee failed to signal that the free kick was indirect with the arm raised over his head then the kick is retaken. It is also a good idea for referees to inform player verbally that it is indirect although not required in Law just good practise.