Question Number: 27033

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 11/25/2012

RE: rec Under 13

Rob of Tampa , Fl Hillsborough asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26666

There are virtually two identical questions here but, as it seems to me, conflicting answers. Both involve dropped balls being kicked directly into the goal; however, one set of answers say 'second touch' is allowed while another contends it is not. Pls. clarify

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

This is a recent change in the laws disallowing a score directly after a dropped ball. Many thought that scored 'directly' would be treated like any indirect free kick - meaning that the ball must touch another player. In fact, however, the interpretation in the US is that 'directly' means touched once. A goal may be scored after a second touch of the ball after it hits the ground.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
Scoring from a dropped ball is a pretty rare event. IFAB changed the law in respect of the dropped ball restart which came into effect on the 1st July of this year. So a goal may not now be scored 'directly' from a dropped ball .
These uncontested goal had put a great deal of pressure on the referee as he had to allow the goal to stand. IFAB then described the situations where the opposition allows the team to score from the kick off without any players trying to stop them in order to rebalance the game as an ""unseemly situation"". Hence the law change.
However where a player dribbles the ball off or plays the ball to a team mate who scores or the ball comes off an opponent that is not 'directly' so the goal should be awarded.
As to the unconcious touch by a player to tee the ball up to kick the ball back, the referee in my opinion would be entitled to ignore that 'touch' in determining 'directly' and in keeping with the spirit of the law change by disallowing the goal. When the situations have been unintentional the referee should use the Law to prevent the need to 'rebalance the score'. That will not be disputed.
Interestingly the referee community is watching with interest the outcome of UEFA's decision to charge Adriano of Shaktar Donetsk who ignored the fair play restart on a dropped ball and scored uncontested running some 30 yards with the ball after the ball was kicked to him at a dropped ball. The goal was awarded and Shaktar would not allow the opponents to rebalance the score. However the incident was seen by the referee and no action was taken during the game other than a goal was awarded. The outcome of the decision will IMO set a precedent in Europe for future dropped ball incidents.