Question Number: 20054

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 9/24/2008

RE: School/Rec Under 14

Brian McGuire of Wichita, Ks usa asks...

When a goalkeeper dives for the ball and catches it and is laying on the ground. His head and shoulders are over the line in the goal. Whould this be a goal?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I don't know - you haven't told us where the ball is.

Law 10: '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's nothing in the Law about whether or not a goalkeeper is holding onto the ball when it goes completely across the line.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Where's the ball? The keeper's entire body may be over the goal line. ALL that matters is where the ball is. All of the ball must be over all of the line in accordance with Law 10 in order for there to be a goal

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Brian the body of the keeper is unimportant here we need to know the location of the ball in relationship to the goal line, the posts and crossbar! If his body screens it the AR and referee MUST make every effort to get to a position to make an effective decision.
Cheers