Question Number: 23551

Law 11 - Offside 6/24/2010

RE: Adult

Robert Finkelstein of New Rochelle, NY USA asks...

Can a goal be scored when an offensive player (other than the goal scorer) is in the goal? Question in light of Landon Donovan's goal when Clint Dempsey was lying in the goal after tripping over the Algerian keeper.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Robert
As long as the player in the offside position does not interfere with play or an opponent there is no infraction. If while off the field of play in the goal and the actions of the player distract an opponent, the goal is disallowed and the player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour. Since the offence was committed off the field of play, play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where it was located when play was stopped.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Sure. Players sometimes leave the field of play as part of the natural course of events (in this case, momentum). Goals count despite the presence of an attacker inside the goal.

This could becomes misconduct if, from off the field of play, the attacker did something that unfairly interferes with an opponent. (Technically, the offense could not be offside since the attacking player is off the field of play.) But, the goal would be disallowed and the player cautioned for unsporting behavior.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Sure. He then is considered to be on the goal line when determining his position for offside. As Mr. Wickham pointed out if he ran off the field on purpose to distract the opponents..then it would be misconduct.