Question Number: 21001

Law 13 - Free Kicks 3/18/2009

RE: Adult

Phiwa of Richards Bay, SOUTH AFRICA asks...

Last week our defender kicked an indirect free-kick towards our goalkeeper. The ball went straight into the net without being touched and the was allowed to stand. Is this a goal?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It should not have been a goal. Indirect means the ball must touch another player (of either team) before a goal can be scored.

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Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

No. In the first place, a team cannot score against themselves directly off of a free kick restart.

If it was in fact an indirect that went straight into the goal, not touching another player on the way, then the restart should have been a corner kick.

If the referee meant for it to be a direct free kick, but signalled indirect instead, the kick needs to be retaken.

Perhaps some re-education is in order for the referee, so that the differences between indirect free kicks and direct free kicks won't be so confusing?

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Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

NO!

No team may score against itself directly from any free kick (direct or indirect), goal kick, throw-in, or corner kick. You can't because the laws specify that you can't.

Restart is a corner kick.

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Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

OOPS.

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