Question Number: 14511

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 11/27/2006

RE: Rec, Select, Competitive Other

Joe Lance of San Diego, CA USA asks...

In a tournament match this weekend a defender--not the keeper--blocked a shot using her hands. The CR immediately whisteled, awarded a red card, and awarded a PK. There was rumbling among the fans and coaches that "since the ball was going into the net the referee could have just awarded the goal." I disagreed, but others told me they had been taught that at a referee clinic. I explained that I have never seen anything in the Laws--or this website--that tells a referee to ever award a goal unless the ball completely crosses the line. Even when it appears obvious that the ball would have scored, the referee is prohibited from awarding the goal, hence the PK and red card for DOGSO. Am I correct? Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The referee can not award a goal, she recognises it! A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal.

There is no other way a goal may be scored. When play stops after the ball leaves the field of play, under the conditions outlined above, a goal is scored. The referee just recognises play has stopped and if no one know play has stopped the referee signals it has with his whistle.

The referee CAN NOT say, "Crap --that sucker was going in anyway -- I'll give the Tigers one for general principles"

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Mike Gartenhaus

Joe,
Long story shorter...
You are correct in spirit. The goal cannot be recorded if it does not go in the goal legally. The PK and Red Card wre correct. You should advise your "friends" to speak to their instructor about incorrect teachings, or at least not making themselves understood.
Thanks for writing.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Here no goal can be awarded as the ball never crossed the goal line and went between cross bars and under post. The Laws of the Game madate the PK and the send off (red card).

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I hope and pray that even in California no one at any referee clinic ever taught anyone that a referee could award a goal because he "thought the ball was going into the net." Law 10 is clear and specific as to what constitutes a goal. The referee acted properly. A goal or obvious goal scoring opportunity was denied by a defender other than the keeper by deliberately handling the ball. That's a send off and red card. Since the handling took place inside the player's own penalty area, the restart is a penalty kick. You are correct and I hope you will correct your friends that thought otherwise

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

Calling a game because of what we "think" will happen - now that's a novel thought. Imagine the types of calls that could ensue simply because we "thought" that a certain foul would happen or "thought" that a player would retaliate. I thought we had to be clairvoyant even now. Imagine the added burden if........ But to answer your question and to echo the comments above, the referee was absolutely correct in their actions. All the best,