Question Number: 26666

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 8/22/2012

RE: intermediate coach Under 15

ronald dodds of battle mountain, nevada USA asks...

I read where a goal may not be scored from a drop ball restart.Question - Is that directly? I also read where a player at a drop ball restart may kick the ball a second time. So that seems to indicate that a goal may be scored in that instance.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ronald
Law 8 has been amended in the current Laws of the Game.
It now reads that
""'If the ball enters the goal:
# if a dropped ball is kicked directly into the opponents' goal, a goal kick is awarded
# if a dropped ball is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team'""
The reason cited by IFAB was that ''there have been a number of occasions where goals have been scored from 'uncontested' dropped balls. This has put a great deal of pressure on the referee as he has to allow the goal to stand. We then have the unseemly situation where the opposition allows the team to score from the kick-off without any players trying to stop them in order to re balance the game.''
IFAB has not clarified what it means by directly and for those referees that are not bound by their association's advice the term directly is open to interpretation. So for me if the ball is kicked into the goal uncontested and it includes a double touch of the ball I'm for disallowing the goal. It will also be the 'best' decision for the game probably preventing ill feeling. Its also the 'spirit' in which the law should be applied as it is 'uncontested'.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 27033