Question Number: 32392

Law 17 - The Corner Kick 4/22/2018

RE: Adult

Graeme Wright of Bradford, United Kingdom asks...

I attended the (very enjoyable) Bradford (Park Avenue) v Harrogate Town game yesterday, & witnessed an incident that had me browsing for a ask the ref website - I landed here.

With the visitors automatic promotion hopes dwindling at 0-2 down, Harrogate were awarded a corner on 84 minutes. On TV, weve all seen corner kick takers place the ball a few inches outside the corner arc, only for a linesman(should one be patrolling that side of the pitch & half) instruct the player to reposition the ball.

On this occasion the Harrogate corner kick taker placed the ball some 12-18 inches outside the arc- not 12 or 24 inches, but somewhere between. I, & a Harrogate supporting couple close by were perfectly positioned to view this transgression, all three of us laughing at his impudence. Harrogate scored from the corner, & while their fans chuckled at the incident, I rolled my eyes.

Neither the linesman, who was patrolling the other half of the pitch- & positioned on the half-way line, the referee- or any Park Avenue players noticed this indiscretion, so the goal stood, giving Harrogate a lifeline- with regards their promotion prospects. Fortunately, in scoring a third, Avenue put the game to bed.

So, this got me thinking. When a foul throw occurs, the throw is then awarded to the opponents. Had the linesman or referee noticed where the ball had been placed- as the kick was being taken- & goal scored, what would be the ruling? Would the player be asked to re-take the corner, or might the opponents be handed possession- as with a throw-in?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Graeme
As the kick was not taken in line with the correct procedure the kick is retaken. However it rarely if ever happens as the referee should ensure the ball is correctly positioned before allowing the kick to proceed.
If it is allowed it is obviously not seen by the officials. As the referee nor an assistant has seen the incorrect ball placement the referee has no choice but to allow the goal.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Graeme,

The LOTG state the ball must be placed inside the arc which implies at least some overhang of the arc line! If the AR or CR does not object to the placement either because they are unaware or choose to ignore it as trifling and count a goal that results from such a placement as a fact of play the goal would count although if a clear video showed the transgression that the ball WAS well outside, some interesting post game review would most definitely take place as to future match options!

If the kick WAS taken with the ball out of the arc the correct restart is a redo not a loss of possession but it should occur immediately as it occurs, not after a goal mouth scramble.

Cheers