Question Number: 23418

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 6/4/2010

RE: High School

Steve Cichon of Tinley Park, Illinois USA asks...

An attacking team member takes a shot from outside the 18 to an upper 90 location of the goal. The keeper catches the ball in mid air and falls into the goal, crossing the end line with the ball in his possession. The ball and the keeper are clearly over the end line inside the goal.
Is this concidered a goal?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Yep. Law 10 says a goal may only be scored when all of the ball has crossed the back of the goal line, in the air or on the ground (or even in the arms of the keeper), under the crossbar and between the goal posts.

It doesn't matter where the keeper is, only where the ball is.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If all of the ball crosses all of the goal line under the crossbar and between the goal posts and no infraction of any of the LOTG has been committed, it's a goal!!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Cichon
Law 10 states '' 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.''
The only thing that matters is the position of the ball not the goalkeeper or any other player in determining if a goal is scored.
I'm intrigued why you would question whether a goal is not scored in the situation you describe as the ball is clearly over the goal line in the goal.