Question Number: 32589

Law 17 - The Corner Kick 7/12/2018

RE: Adult

Murichu Gichinga of Nairobi , Kenya asks...

What happens when a cornerkick is taken from the wrong side?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Murichu
That should not happen. The referee should clearly indicate what side the corner kick should be taken from and prevent a kick being taken from the incorrect side.
If the ball goes over the middle of the goal the referee will make a decision as to the side based on his opinion. If the ball ends up closer to one side in such situations the referee may decide that it is best to go with that closest side.
If during play the corner kick is allowed to be taken from the *wrong* side then play continues. That would only happen in a situation of uncertainty such as over the centre of the crossbar. If it is not allowed with the corner kick taken play is stopped and the kick taken from the correct side.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Murichu,
Corner kicks are pretty specific as to ball direction indicates which side the kick is to occur from!
In a close one over the middle of the goal crossbar The referee likely chooses where the ball winds up closest but unlike g a goal kick that can occur either side corner kicks are strictly on the side the ball exits into touch over the goal line! It would take a weird bounce or some serous inattention to detail for a referee to permit a wrong sided corner but IF it was incorrect the kick should be retaken in the correct quadrant.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Murichu,
If you mean what should happen during the game, assuming the referee notices the error, the corner kick should be retaken from the correct side. If you're talking in terms of some kind of action being taken after the game is over, nothing would happen - this would be seen as a referee's judgement call.

The principle is the same as a number of incidents when a goal has been incorrectly awarded (or a goal not given that should have been) - even though in some cases video footage later clearly showed the referee made an error, nothing could be done about it afterwards.