Question Number: 3066

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

RE: rec Under 10

c rappaport of hopewell, nj us asks...

A referee recently awarded a goal where a kick was stopped by a deliberate use of hands by the defender. I'd never seen this call before. Is it correct?

Answer provided by Referee burbidge

There isn't enough information in your question to provide a definitive answer but assuming that the ball crossed completely over the imaginary line that runs from the goal line up to the crossbar then yes, it is a goal. The player should be also shown the red card for deliberately attempting to stop the ball from going into the net. If however, your defender did not let the ball cross over the imaginary line, it should not be ruled as a goal. The offender should be red carded for deliberately stopping the ball with their hands and a PK given. Hope this helps.

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi C rappaport,..For a goal to be scored it must pass completely over the goalline, under the crossbar and between the posts. I am assuming the defender handled the ball before this could happen? If it crossed the goaline before it was touched then the goal would be good and no foul on the player. If a player deliberately handles the ball on its way into the goal he is Denying a Goal Scoring Opportunity which is punishable by a red card and send off..The correct restart is to award a DFK if the handling is outside the penalty area or a PK if inside his own penalty area. UNDER NO circumstances could you award a GOAL to the other team if you felt it might have gone into the net..In mini sided or youth games often those that officiate are not a great deal more experianced than those that play..Although in mini and small sided soccer such punishment as carding may not be metted out nor at times is the puniskment for the foul the same as prescibed by FIFA. In some very young youth games only INDFK are given. These are local rules only. Cheers