Question Number: 32275

Law 16 - The Goal Kick 3/3/2018

RE: Select

Andrew of Wilmington, Nc Usa asks...

I was the AR for a U12 game today. The blue team had a goal kick. The keeper attempted to kick the ball out wide to a teammate outside the penalty area. The kick however was 'knuckleballed' and prior to leaving the penalty area it crossed the goal line. The center ref award a corner to the other team. From my reading of the laws of the game however, the correct restart should have been the goal kick being retaken. What is the correct call here in this situation?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Andrew
You are correct. The ball did not leave the penalty area to Python it in play so the only possible restart was a retake. Had the ball crossed the goal line between the 18yard line and the corner flag it was in play and as it left the field of play last touched by the goalkeeper it is a corner kick.
The referee clearly got confused.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Andrew,
your interpretation of the LOTG is completely correct, a goal kick, in fact ANY outgoing free kick must CLEAR the PA to be in play.
The CR either made a mistake in awarding the corner or thought incorrectly perhaps the ball had in fact COMPLETELY cleared the PA before crossing the goal line which WOULD be a corner kick restart!
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 32652