Question Number: 35304

Other 12/30/2023

RE: town league Under 11

David St Martin of TAUNTON, MA United States asks...

if my niece's teammate kick the ball and it bounced off of my niece's foot is she considered the goal scorer

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi David
Yes. The last touch of the ball by an attacker is considered the scorer.
The most recent high profile one of these decisions was in the recent World Cup when it looked like Cristiano Ronaldo got a touch for Portugal's opening goal against Uruguay.
The ball that was used had a sensor inside and Adidas along with FIFA have confirmed that the ball was not touched by Ronaldo. Instead Bruno Fernandes who crossed the ball was credited with goal by FIFA.

In your nieces situation her touch would result in her being credited with the goal.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi David
While a referee is not overly concerned with who gets credit. The last touch of the ball by an attacker into the opposition goal is considered the scorer. Just as the last touch of a deflection off a defender scoring on themselves is usually an own goal unless it was going to go in/ ie a deliberate handling that fails to stop or an attempt to block that fails to stop an attackers attempt to score.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi David,
This is not a matter covered by the laws so ultimately it is not something that a referee normally needs to decide but all the leagues that I'm aware of (where goals are actually credited to players) it is the last attacking player who touches the ball that is credited with the goal.