Own Goal From a Free Kick: Does It Count? Rules Explained
Defenders line up in a wall to block a free kick
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Picture this: a free kick is whipped into the box and a panicking defender slices the ball straight into their own net. Joy for nobody — but is it even a goal? The short answer is no. Under the Laws of the Game, an own goal from a free kick simply does not count.
TL;DR: You cannot score an own goal directly from a free kick — the goal is disallowed and a corner kick is awarded to the opposition.
The Rule: No Own Goals From Restarts
The Laws of the Game set by IFAB state that an own goal can only be scored after another player has touched the ball. Because a free kick is a restart, if the ball goes straight into the defending team's own goal without a second touch, it is not a goal.
Since the 2016–17 season this covers all restarts — free kicks, corners, throw-ins, goal kicks, kick-offs and drop balls.
What Happens Instead?
The referee does not award the goal. Instead, the attacking team is given a corner kick, because the defending side was last to touch the ball before it crossed their own goal line.
Key points to remember
- A free kick into your own net = no goal, corner to the opposition.
- The goal only counts if a teammate or opponent touches the ball first.
- The same logic covers corners and throw-ins, as SB Nation explains.
Why Do Fans Still See Own Goals?
Own goals happen all the time — but almost always after a deflection or a cross. A keeper's clearance rebounding off a defender counts because the ball was already in play. Only a direct strike from a restart is excluded, a detail summarised by Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you score an own goal from a free kick?
No. A goal sent directly into your own net from a free kick is disallowed, and a corner is given to the opposition.
What if a teammate touches it first?
If any player touches the ball before it enters the goal, an own goal can be awarded — even from a free kick.
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