Question Number: 21379

Law 13 - Free Kicks 5/19/2009

RE: Rec Under 13

Mark of Elkins, WV US asks...

If an indirect free kick goes directly into the goal, without being touch by another player, what is the process to restart the game? Do they kick again or is an IFK awarded to the defending team? And, would it count as a goal if the ball deflected off a defending player immediately after the IFK and went into the goal? Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Perhaps it would be helpful to review the Laws of the Game? They are online at the www.ussoccer.com or at the FIFA website.

IDFKs must touch another player (any player besides the kicker) before they enter the goal in order for the goal to count. So a deflection off of a defender into the goal will score.

The restart for an IDFK that leaves the field over the goal line having not touched another player will be a goal kick. See Law 13:

The Indirect Free Kick
Signal
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his arm above his
head. He maintains his arm in that position until the kick has been
taken and the ball has touched another player or goes out of play.
Ball Enters the Goal
A goal can be scored only if the ball subsequently touches another
player before it enters the goal:
? if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the opponents' goal,
a goal kick is awarded
? if an indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal,
a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

INDFK requires the ball have a second touch by ANY player from either team except the kicker to legally enter either goal.
However the ball is in play the moment it is kicked and moved!

If on an indfk the ball is kicked directly into the goal it WAS in play then it went OUT of play but because of the restriction it CAN NOT be a goal! The fact is the ball left the field last touched by the kicker before traveling over the goal line thus the restart is based on THAT knowledge!

If the kicker kicked an INDFK directly into the oppositions goal it is a GOAL KICK coming out!
If the kicker kicked an INDFK directly into his OWN goal it is a
Corner kick !

If the kicker kicked an INDFK directly towards either goal and on the way to the goal ANY contact of the ball off an opponent or team mate and the ball enters into the goal by way of crossing the goal line under the crossbar and between the posts we have a good goal followed by a kick off provided there was no infringement on the play or this was not a defending INDFK originating inside the penalty area in which the ball had not cleared the boundary lines into play .
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

A little logical thinking leads directly to the restart needed: A ball last touched by attacking team goes completely across the goal line, but a goal is not scored ---> Goal kick. So even if it wasn't listed specifically in the Laws, we'd know what to do.