Question Number: 18366

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 2/12/2008

RE: Rec. Under 17

Ross Bennett of Cochran, Georgia Bleckley asks...

This question is a follow up to question 10

Is it a goal if the ball hits the the end/goal line and the Keeper hits the ball out and the ref. can't really see it.

Thanks, Ross Bennett

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ross, as a referee you know that the only way a goal may be scored is if all of the ball crosses all of the goal line under the crossbar and between the goalposts in accordance with law 10. AND.... the referee or the AR MUST see it. In your question you state 1. the ball hit the line and 2. you didn't see it anyway, so how can you award a goal?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ross,
given your your description it is not possible to award the goal. While a ball could hit the goal line, completely cross over into the goal and be batted away if a referee or AR can not see it was so then no goal!
I have seen a ball via video replay in a MAN U elite premier game where thier ooponents scored a good goal but it went unseen. It was a long high shot and positioning of the AR and referee was way up field so they were not in a position to be sure. The keeper was most fortunate as it was a bad blunder!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Ah the "Roy Caroll" incident... Ref Dawson brings back bad memories for Man U and for the referees in questions.

There can be NO goal if the requiremetns of law 10 are not met. Also, there will be no goal given even if the requirements of law 10 have been met but the referee or the AR can not visually confirm that this has happnened, if the ref didn't see it as far as the official report is concerned, it didn't happen, even if it did....