Question Number: 22879

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 2/28/2010

RE: rec. Under 16

Dave Webb of wilmington, N.C. U.S.A. asks...

Is a goal given if the ball goes over the goal line after the final whistle but was in the air before the whistle blew?
I know that the ref. will try to avoid ending the game during a shot but it does happen.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Only the assistant referee can tell us if this was a goal or not. If the ball did not entirely cross the goal line before the whistle blew, there can be no goal.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

All of the ball must have crossed the goal line when the match ended for a goal to be scored. 'In the air' is irrelevant.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Coach Webb
A goal cannot be scored after the whistle has sounded to stop play. That includes fouls and any other reason play is stopped as well as the half time and final whistles.
Most referees try not to end play in goal scoring areas and certainly not with the ball in the air heading towards goal. I suspect that the influence of other sports in the US that have strict timing such as football and basketball has a bearing on this . It is something that would very exceptional in Ireland and the UK.
If it is a time defined match such as 45 minutes with no allowance for any stoppages whatsoever I could see this happening on 45.00.
In an ordinary game the referee can easily find 2/3 seconds to see the play completed!!