Question Number: 32077

Law 10 - Determining the Outcome of a Match 12/4/2017

RE: Competive Adult

Nia Kusnin of KL, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia asks...

If a ball is in play, keeper throw ball and goes into the opponent's net, does the goal allowed?

1) football
2) futsal

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Nia,
In a game played under the IFAB's Laws of the Game (football) and assuming the keeper is inside their own penalty area when they throw the ball, the goal would be allowed.

In a Futsal game, it would not be allowed. The Futsal law on this states:

''A goal is disallowed if the goalkeeper of the attacking team throws or hits the ball intentionally with his hand or arm from inside his own penalty area and is the last player to touch or play the ball.''

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Nia
In a regular game a goal will be awarded if a goalkeeper can throw the ball that far into the opponents goal. It is a very long throw, at least 70 metres. If he throws it into his own nets by accident it is also a goal.
In some small sided games on small pitches the Rules of Competition can be amended to prevent the ball being thrown or punted by the goalkeeper into the opponents goal by the award of a goal kick or IDFK.
In Futsal a goal would not be awarded. The restart in Futsal is a goal clearance.
I once had something close to this in a Futsal game and the young goalkeeper did not know that a goal could be scored directly from a goalkeeper throw. He tried to stop the ball entering the goal, yet touched it as it crossed the goal line. Without the touch on the ball it would have been a goal clearance.