Question Number: 13122

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 6/21/2006

RE: Adult

Wendy of Cork, Ireland asks...

If the ball is deflected off a referee into the goal, does the goal stand? And if so, who is credited as the goalscorer?

Answer provided by Referee Mike Gartenhaus

Wendy,
The goal does indeed count. The person player (not referee) that last touched the ball gets credit for the goal. The referee is considered a part of the field, kind of a corner flag that has legs and moves around a bit, so does not count as a player touching the ball.
Thanks for writing.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Wendy,
my colleague is spot on. The referee is indeed considered as part of the playing field! Just like the post or crossbar a ball that deflects into the goal counts as a Goal with the player who last plays that ball before the deflection getting credit for a goal.

Mind you aside from a shot that is just off a referee it is possible for a shot taken to hit a defender and the referee then richochet into the goal . Here the shooter takes the credit for the goal! However if the defender say tries to clear the ball and misplays it off the referee then it becomes an own goal rather than the shooters goal. In any case a referee who gets in the way of a ball that finds its way into the goal best be prepared to award the goal and run quickly to the parking lot with keys in hand! LOL! ;o) Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee is part of the field and if this happens, it's a valid goal. I suppose the lat attacker that kicked the ball would get credit and the referee would be more careful in the future to stay out of the way.