Question Number: 23047

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 3/31/2010

RE: AYSO Under 19

Don Swanton of Chicago, IL USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22987

Since at the kick-off the ball is only in play if it is kicked and moves FORWARD the kicker cannot score an own goal directly.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The questioner was assuming that the ball went forward and then was carried backward by the wind. But, one cannot score an own goal directly from a kick off under USSF interpretation and I am aware of no federation which disagrees (but the USSF interpretation would not bind them).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Swanton
The question was framed with the ball being kicked forward so it is in play. The Law does not state that an own goal cannot be scored from a KO and the questioner was making the point that as the Laws did not state it, unlike all the other restarts, then a goal should be awarded.
The chances of it happening are extremely slim if non existant and the principle exists that an own goal can be scored on any restart so why should the kick off be any different, even if its not stated.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Well the kick off is NOT the only restart where the ball must move forward, the same is true for a penalty kick. And one cannot score on themselves at ANY restart anyway. The questioner is typical of us Americans that want everything written out in excruciating detail whereas the rest of the soccer world accepts what is known to be true without question. The LOTG are also silent about penalty kicks but if a PK bounds off the crossbar and is carried the length of the field to the kickers goal and goes in untouched by any other player it is NOT a goal and the restart is a corner kick