What happens if the ball hits the referee in football?
A · Advanced · Who decides, and how does VAR work? · 11 of 12Checked 13 October 2026
Usually play goes on. Play stops and restarts with a dropped ball only if the ball hits a match official, stays on the field and then a team starts a promising attack, the ball goes straight into the goal or possession changes.
How it works
- The ball touching a match official is normally still in play.
- Play is stopped if, after the touch, a team starts a promising attack, the ball goes directly into the goal or the team in possession changes.
- The dropped ball is taken where the ball touched the official: for the defending goalkeeper inside the penalty area, otherwise for the team that had or would have had the ball.
Tricky cases
The ball went in off the referee. Is it a goal?
No. Play restarts with a dropped ball.
The ball hit the referee and stayed with the same team. Does play stop?
No, unless it started a promising attack for that team.
Why the rule exists
The referee is on the field but not part of the game, so a touch off the referee should not help either team.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All football under the Laws | As above | L9.1; L8.2 |
From the rule book
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Laws 8.2 and 9, in force from 1 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: IFAB Laws of the Game (PDF).