Question Number: 31068

Law 10 - Determining the Outcome of a Match 11/29/2016

RE: Amatuer Adult

David sanderson of KILBIRNIE , Ayrshire Scotland asks...

If an offensive player takes a throw in and is on target but is touched by an opposing defender before going in the goal who is credited with the goal? Attacking player or an own goal for the defender?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

That's a question for the statisticians, not the referee. The referee only records the goal.

In one league, I had to record goals to particular players on the game sheet report. In that case, I gave the goal to whatever attacking player touched the ball last (because the goal for Team A had to be credited to a Team A player on Team A's sheet). On one occasion, I congratulated the goalkeeper for 'scoring' a goal that bounced off a defender or two following a goal kick or punt.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi David,
This isn't part of the laws of the game. My view on what constitutes an own goal is a bit subjective, but it's a judgement based on whether it may have gone in the goal anyway and how much opportunity the defender had to react to the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
This is technically an Own Goal as a player cannot score from a throw in. So the defender is credited with the score.
The Dubious Goals Panel and Fantasy Football have specific rules in relation to goal awards as would betting organisations. A goal would not be awarded here for the thrower in those rules.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi David,
This is not covered in the Laws of the Game, which do not require a referee to decide who would be credited with a goal. Some competitions, as Ref Voshol mentions, do ask the referee to do this and although I have never reffed in one that does, I would hope that any such competition would provide some guidelines to assist the referee in this task, since the Laws do not do so.