18/04/2026
In principle, if the ball bursts at a penalty kick or penalties (penalty shoot-out), the kick is retaken.
1️⃣ According to Law 2, if the ball becomes defective during a penalty kick or penalties (penalty shoot-out) as it moves forward and before it touches a player, crossbar or goalpost(s), the penalty kick is retaken.
Example: The ball is kicked, moves a few metres, and then suddenly bursts/becomes flat before reaching the goal/goalkeeper. As a result, the ball stops and does not cross the goal line.
2️⃣ In reality, it may happen that the ball bursts:
➡ after touching the crossbar/goalpost(s)
➡ as it goes into the goal (over the goal line or very close to the goal line)
In such cases, when the ball becomes defective shortly before entering the goal, the referee will usually award the goal for reasons of fairness, provided the goalkeeper has not been disadvantaged, i.e. the bursting of the ball did not prevent them from touching it.
Example: The player taking the penalty kick kicks the ball in the opposite direction to the side where the defending goalkeeper moves. When the goalkeeper is already in the air or on the ground, the ball explodes as it is about to pass over the goal line, close to the goalpost and a few metres away from the goalkeeper, and then enters the goal.
The bursting of the ball:
➡ had no impact on the initial goalkeeper’s action/movement
➡ did not prevent the goalkeeper from saving the kick
It would be unfair to the kicker’s team if the penalty kick had to be retaken, so the referee could apply the ‘spirit’ of the Law and award the goal.
3️⃣ If the ball bursts after touching the crossbar, goalpost(s), or the goalkeeper, but does NOT cross the goal line:
➡ the goal cannot be awarded
➡ the kick is not retaken
➡ play is stopped and restarted with a dropped ball (or the kick is recorded as ‘missed’ in the penalty shoot-out)
because the kicker should not have a second chance to score if the first attempt was missed/saved.
