Question Number: 35657

Kicks From The Penalty mark 8/16/2024

RE: Adult

Peter of Castle Hill, NSW Australia asks...

During a penalty shoot-out to determine the outcome of a match, the ball burst after touching the goalpost or crossbar and then crosses the goal line, what is the referees decision?
Is it a valid goal or has to be retaken?
How about if this happen during a normal penalty kick?
Than you.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Peter,

LAW 2. THE BALL
Replacement of a defective ball
If the ball becomes defective:
• play is stopped and restarted with a DB
• if the ball becomes defective at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick,
penalty kick or throw-in, the restart is retaken.

• if the ball becomes defective during a penalty kick or penalties (penalty shoot-out) as it moves forward and before it touches a player, crossbar or
goalposts, the penalty kick is retaken.

The ball may not be changed during the match without the referee’s permission.

Based on the word (BEFORE) in the above LOTG quote!
If during KFTPM or in live play on a PK if the ball BURSTS after it strikes the goal post or crossbar but DIRECTLY enters the goal completely crossing the goal line under the crossbar and between the posts I would award the goal. If it failed to do so a DB to the keeper in active play and on to the next shooter if KFTPM! Yet in truth the REALITY of figuring out if the ball WAS defective only after or before sounds like a monumental headache situation.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Peter
A burst ball, necessitating the game to be stopped, is extremely rare. More common is a ball that loses pressure and that might not be picked up immediately in which case play continues.

On the penalty kick Law 14 was changed here in 2011 / 2012. When the ball bursts previously at a PK it was a dropped ball in all situation which was unfair. Now the PK is retaken if the ball bursts on the kick before it touches the frame of the goal or the goalkeeper.
Referee Dawson has quoted Law 2 which sets out what happens in a defective ball situations.
My take on it that it will be difficult to opine when the ball became defective and unless it became defective before it got to the goal I would award the goal.
In the case of a rebound I would have to be 100% certain it became defective after it struck the frame of the goal or the goalkeeper before going with a dropped ball rather than the retake.
In KFTPM again I would have to be 100% certain when the ball became defective after contact with the frame of the goal before not going with a retake. The easier call may be to award the goal or perhaps if highly contested just go with a retake if uncertainty was there when the ball became defective.
If the ball is kicked and nothing untoward happens and the ball ends up in the goal is anyone going to challenge a goal award even if the ball is found to be deflated for the next kick?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Peter,
I would have to agree with ref McHugh that the chances of a ball bursting during play are extremely low. I have been involved with the game as a player, coach, referee and spectator for more than 60 years now and I have never seen it happen.

However if it did so after touching the frame of the goal and then entered the net I would agree with my colleagues that the best decision would be to award the goal. This would be my preferred decision whether it occurred during a penalty shootout or at a penalty during normal play.