Question Number: 18710

Law 7 - Match Duration 4/7/2008

RE: Rec Under 13

Tim Husbands of Belfast, Northern Ireland asks...

OUR SIDE GETS A FREE KICK..THE REF SAYS THAT THIS WILL BE THE LAST KICK OF THE MATCH. THE SHOT HITS THE BAR, AND WITHOUT BOUNCING, IS HEADED DIRECTLY IN OFF THE REBOUND, WITHOUT THE BALL TOUCHING THE GROUND BY ANOTHER OF OUR PLAYERS. IS IT A GOAL?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Depends. Was the player who headed it in onside at the time? As long as the ref had not called time before the ball went in, and the player is onside, it should be a goal. Did the referee call time when the ball hit the bar but before the ball went into the net? If so, no goal.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Here is where what a referee says affects what he can do properly and what hole he can dig himself into. How deep that hole wil likely reflect what side you are on, the team with the goal or the other on. If a referee has stated the last touch of the ball is the free kick then blows for the end of the match he is pot committed as they say in poker and no goal. If he allows the kick but allows the goal as it appears to be a bang bang play and has not ended th match he will definately be the goat to one team and an atta boy referee to the other. ONLY on an extended time PK could I concieve of saying this kick is all there ever will be.
cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Was this a penalty kick? Time is extended to allow the taking of a penalty kick. It becomes very similar to Kicks From the Penalty Mark to decide a winner in a game. In that case, the referee would be correct to end the game when it is apparent that the ball won't go in the net due to the energy imparted from the penalty kick. If another player takes another shot at the goal, it wouldn't count.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If the referee gave it then it is a goal, if not then there was no goal. This is one where the referee spoke once too much. Bad form.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I agree! Bad practice for the referee to announce this on just a regular free kick. Had it been a penalty kick, then it would be a different story. Basically the match ends when the referee ends the game. If he did not end the match before the ball went in the goal, then it should count as a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Loose lips sink ships.