Question Number: 31228

Law 10 - Determining the Outcome of a Match 2/5/2017

RE: Rec Adult

Kurt of Oakland, California USA asks...

Under FIFA rules, if a player takes a throw in that is directed at goal, and the ball deflects off of a defensive player into the opposing teams goal, how is the goal credited? Is it credited as a goal to the thrower, or an own goal (in which case, is it an assist for the thrower)?

The NCAA stats manual states:

A.R. 4. Allen attempts a throw-in from the sideline. Team Bs keeper, Bates, mishandles the ball while attempting
to make the stop, and the ball rolls in to Team Bs goal without being touched by another player. RULING: Credit Allen with the goal since no other Team A player touched the ball, the momentum of the throw carried the ball into the net and Bates never gained full control of the ball.

Does the same rule apply under FIFA rules?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kurt
It only makes a difference in matters such as scoring tables, fantasy football competitions and betting. It makes no difference to the referee who scores the goal.
Also the interpretation will be different between different bodies. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw in so I would opine that the thrower cannot be credited with a goal. It must be the player that last touched the ball.
In the UK there is a Dubious Goals Panel of three persons one of which is a referee. That panel adjudicates on goals for the purpose of stats, betting etc. As a rule, if the initial attempt is goalbound it is credited to the player making the goal attempt. However if the deflection means that a wayward effort results in a goal then it is attributed to the player who had the last definitive touch of the ball.
In your example the goal in the UK I believe would be credited to the GK Bates as Allen cannot score without the touch.
Other such as NCAA can opine differently. I guess that as long as it applied consistently and understood as part of the competition rules it is only of concern to those that have an interest in who scores not that a goal is scored.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Strictly speaking, although FIFA also puts a copy on their website, the primary responsibility for what are known as the Laws of the Game is now with the IFAB.

Either way, these Laws do not say anything about who should be credited with a goal. As Ref McHugh says, some competition organisers have their own procedures for deciding.