Referee Review
Why was this decision made?
See the key points from a referee’s perspective
Show explanation
Referee Review
Why was this decision made?
See the key points from a referee’s perspective
Show explanationHow the footage and Laws apply
The free-kick taker touched the ball a second time before any other player had touched it. The ball rebounded from the crossbar directly back to the taker. Under the Laws, if the taker touches the ball again before it has touched another player, the opponents receive an indirect free kick. The broadcast graphic identified offside as the reason for disallowing the goal, but that was incorrect: the offence was the second touch. The reason may be hard to spot on first viewing. The same situation can arise from a corner kick, so it is useful for match officials to recognise it.
Relevant Laws
Law 13 – Free Kicks (Offences and sanctions)
Official references
Check the wording of the Laws
The links above lead to official IFAB and JFA resources. The application of the Laws to this incident is the author’s analysis and is not an official view of IFAB, JFA or the competition organiser.
Want to test your understanding of this decision?
Build confidence with more Laws of the Game questions in the app.
Try more questions in the appRelated Scenes
[Sending-off / Rare Incident] A sending-off for two cautions: holding and delaying the restart of play | Eredivisie Sparta Rotterdam vs Go Ahead Eagles
[Caution Rescinded] A possible sending-off is reviewed, the foul is overturned and play restarts with a dropped ball | J1 League Cerezo Osaka vs Yokohama F. Marinos