Question Number: 35900

Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play 3/30/2025

RE: Rec Adult

Tony Thomas of London , United Kingdom asks...

If the referee awards a penalty and VAR overturns it, why does the game restart with a drop ball for the goal keeper?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Tony
Thanks for the question
The Laws of the Game states that if play is stopped in error that play will restart with a drópped ball. It also states that if play is stopped inside the penalty area the ball will be drópped to the goalkeeper.

On a penalty kick overturn by VAR that means that play was stopped in error as there was no penalty and as play was stopped inside the penalty area the drópped ball is to the goal keeper.

For the vast majority of the game VAR does not apply so there is little question about the dropped ball to the goalkeeper when play is stopped in the penalty area. In the past the ball was being given back anyway.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Tony,

Basically, it's because it's the only valid restart available.

Law 8 says that a dropped ball is the restart when the referee stops play and the law does not specify any other restart.

If play has been stopped with the ball inside the penalty area and after the VAR check, no other restart is indicated - that is to say, no penalty is given and no other offence has been spotted that would require a different restart, then a dropped ball is the only option left

And, as my colleague ref McHugh points out, for dropped balls inside the penalty area, the ball is dropped for the goalkeeper.