Question Number: 30303

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/16/2016

RE: rec Under 14

Ed Northrop of Albany, Georgia United States asks...

An opposing player raises their hand in the goalie box and deflects the ball into their own goal. Is it a goal or a dead ball followed by a PK

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ed
The correct decision is that the referee plays advantage and awards the goal. The referee can before the kick off caution the defender for unsporting behaviour for his attempt to prevent the goal with his hand.
If the referee is too quick on the whistle and stops play before the goal is scored then it is a penalty kick and the defender is dismissed for denying a goal by deliberate handling.
A goal is always the best decision to make in a game so advantage should always be played. There is no guarantee that a PK will result in a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Ed,

Advantage law applies here - a goal is a better outcome than a penalty kick.
Bear in mind that if the handling is completely accidental then advantage is irrelevant - no matter what the outcome is, there is no foul.
The player could still be cautioned for the attempt to stop a goal if it is deliberate handling.
The awkward situation that sometimes arises is when the referee blows his whistle and a moment later the ball goes in the goal. In this case, the goal cannot be awarded - even if the whistle has had no noticeable impact upon play.