Question Number: 33230

Law 10 - Determining the Outcome of a Match 4/9/2019

RE: Pro Professional

Pandea Radu-Mihnea of Munich, Germany asks...

This question is a follow up to question 33228

Many thanks for your answers.

I have been an analyst in Football Statistics company for over 10 years now so the Dubious Goal Panel is something familiar for me and I find it as the best solution to clear such things.

On the other hand, I know that the DFL in Germany has adopted about 6 years ago a Definitions Catalogue defining how to judge goals, assissts and own goals. There this clear rule of the last player making an deliberate action on the ball would be awarded the goal. This is how we ended up awarding a goal for Allagui here, despite his initial shot being miles off (https://youtu.be/rOdfLVtUNTs?t=155 - sorry for the video quality, was the only one I could find).

As I am counter checking data agains the official reports of the games I often found that the same rules are being applied - in France, Netherlands for example or some Asian competitions. This made me believe that this was maybe sent to referees as guidelines.

It's quite unclear for me why there is no such category in the rules of the game as the referee report has a big influence in determining who is officially credited with each goal, although I do get the point that as a general outcome it doesn't influence at all what is important, which is the score.

My question got raised after trying to determine the scorer of this goal https://youtu.be/_uI8xPKPvJw?t=103 , where the defender deflects decisevely an on goal attempt which would have probably been saved.

Best regards.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Pandea
At grassroots levels league depend on referees for goal-scoring information. I personally credit the last forward to touch the ball with any dubious goal even clear own goals much like the DFL policy.
At higher levels referees are not involved in determining the scorer just the score.
In the example shown '#24 would be credited with the goal under PL rules
In this video none of the kicks were destined for the goal so all would be considered own goals under EPL rules
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glqkyw8A43k
I suppose it makes little difference once the rules are spelt out clearly. The small print is what matters in betting, fantasy football etc. If the small print says Dubious Goals Panel decision is final then that is all that counts.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Pandea,
The Laws of the Game are primarily concerned with providing a framework for games to be conducted safely and fairly. Under such a framework, the question of who scored a goal does not arise and is not covered. So there are no rules or guidelines that are sent to referees in any coordinated or official manner. Some individual competitions in some countries that request referees to help them in keeping such statistics, may possibly give guidelines to referees though some just leave it to the referee's discretion.

As ref McHugh mentions, it is only for extraneous matters such as betting, fantasy leagues etc that it really matters who scored a goal.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Hi Pandea,
we are certainly pleased you were grateful for the efforts of the panel but as referees we are only concerned the goal is legal & fair according to the LOTG. Albeit we do appreciate a great strike on goal, chuckle a wee bit at a funny one we do share some compassion & sympathy for the unlucky ones!!
Cheers