Question Number: 33082

Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 2/20/2019

RE: AMATEUR Adult

JOE STOKES of PRESTON, UK asks...

The referee was blowing up for half time as the ball entered the net. As we left the field of play we believed the goal had not been allowed as we did not kick off again. Subsequently the referee informed us the goal had stood! Can you advise if the referee was at fault? should you kick off after a goal has been scored or should he have cancelled the goal out?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joe
There is no requirement to restart with a kick off after a goal. So the referee was not at fault by not doing so and perfectly entitled to do what he did.
The only key question was whether the ball crossed the goal line before the whistle sounded to end the half. Only the referee can answer that and if he said it did then the goal is good.
The reason the question has been raised was questionable mechanics. Many times referees ask for a kick off to ensure that there is no doubt whatsoever that a goal has been awarded and it also can allow an opportunity for other match officials to intervene before the kick off as half time / game ends after the restart.
In situations not involving a goal in the last seconds it makes little difference as to whether a restart happens or not except where there is a possible issue such as a foul / penalty seen by an AR only etc.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Joe,
A goal doesn't require a kick-off to count. Some referees will usually start with the kickoff for reasons Ref McHugh has explained, but it's not required in law.

You state 'blowing up for half time as the ball had entered the net' - did the referee start to blow the whistle before the ball had crossed the line? If so, it can't be a goal - even if the whistle didn't actually have an impact.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Joe,
The referee has simply put forth some poor mechanics.
If the ball has not completely crossed the goal line when a whistle is being blown, indicating the referee is stopping play, then no goal is possible. If there was video evidence to support the claim the ball was not yet a goal while the whistle as sounding there is a case for a possible protest if a goal is awarded.

However,
If the referee has decided the ball HAD indeed completely crossed the goal BEFORE he sounded the whistle the goal stands! In this case although it sounds rather dubious, if indeed time was up, so as not to permit a kick off, that is something the referee could easily make known.

Not that a goal can not be scored as time is running out but since we can add time for almost any reason we feel sufficient, time is relative and rarely to the micro second! But yes, I like the idea of a kick off after a goal to CLEARLY establish it is being counted! Cheers