Question Number: 20333

Law 13 - Free Kicks 10/22/2008

RE: 7 Adult

matthew slater of devon, devon uk asks...

just wanting to confirm a couple of things really.
Firstly, am i correct in saying that you can not score an OWN GOAL from a direct and indirect free kick.
Secondly, the ball has to leave the penalty area before it can be touched by either team from goal kicks and all other free kicks taken by the defending team from the penalty area. Correct or not?

thanks

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Firstly, you are correct.

Secondly, you are correct insofar as the ball is not yet in play and the kick would be retaken. In theory... it could be touched without some sort of free kick awarded BUT it could result in a caution for delaying the restart of play, so you are basically correct.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Firstly, all the answers to your questions are readily found in the Laws of the Game. Look to Pages 28, 34 & 35 in the 2007/2008 published version on the USSF website or look at the 2008/2009 version published at the FIFA site: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federation/81/42/36/lotg_en_55753.pdf

Question 1: A team cannot score directly on themselves from a restart, except from a dropped ball. On any indirect free kick restart, the ball must be touched by another player before it can score, so one can never score against oneself directly from an indirect free kick (that would be the indirect part - grin).

Question 2: As Laws 13 & 16 clearly state, the ball must be kicked beyond the penalty area for a direct, indirect or goal kick to be in play. If it is not kicked beyond the PA, the kick is taken again.