Question Number: 25905

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 1/21/2012

RE: Pro Under 16

Daniel of Barcelona, Catalonia Spain asks...

This question is a follow up to question 777

My Question is this one, if a player let's say chips the ball over the keeper , the ball is already inside the goal but has not touches the ground or the net , if a player kicks it out before it has any contact with anything is it considered a goal?(I am talking about leagues like Barclays,BBVA or Serie A)

Thank you , Daniel

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It is a goal. From 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.' Of course the referee (probably the AR) has to see the ball completely over the line. There have been notable errors when the ref missed seeing this, which is why FIFA is investigating goal-line technology.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Daniel
Once the ball crosses the goal line either on the ground or in the air, a goal must be awarded. It makes no difference if the ball does not touch the ground, net etc. once all of the ball crosses all of the line.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Unlike some other sports, the ball doesn't need to have contact with the ground to be considered over the line. The moment the entire ball passes the line, either in the air or on the ground, it's out - whether that be crossing the touch line, goal line or scoring a goal.