Archive · 23 Aug 2025
Rare Football Rules Cause Confusion: Eze’s Goal and Beyond
Sometimes, soccer games have unexpected rules.
One rule is that if an attacking player gets too close to the defending wall during a free kick, the goal won't count.
Another rule caused a penalty to be disallowed because the player accidentally touched the ball twice.
In penalty shootouts, both teams must have the same number of players.
Also, a player cannot touch the ball again after a rebound from a penalty kick if it hasn't touched another player.
Lastly, there are rules about how players can celebrate goals, such as not using masks or being too over the top.
Eberechi Eze's goal was disallowed due to a rarely enforced rule about the proximity of attacking players to the defensive wall.
A penalty goal was disallowed in a Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid match after the kicker accidentally touched the ball twice.
Teams in penalty shootouts must reduce their players to match their opponents if a player is sent off during regulation time.
Players cannot touch the ball again after a rebound from a penalty kick before it touches another player.
There are specific rules against excessive goal celebrations, like covering the head or face with a mask.
- Who
- Players and teams involved in incidents where lesser-known rules were applied.
- What
- Various little-known soccer rules and their enforcement.
- When
- Recent matches and examples from past seasons, including a 2006 World Cup final.
- Where
- Matches in various leagues, including the English Premier League and Champions League.
- Why
- To highlight obscure rules and their impact on the game.
Fans
IFAB
Understanding Rules
Fans
Unaware of the less-known rules. They are confused.
IFAB
Have to understand the rules to improve the game.
- Eze's Free Kick
- Disallowed due to Mark Guehi's proximity to the Chelsea wall.
- Alvarez's Penalty
- Disallowed due to a double touch.
- World Cup 2006
- Gattuso sat out of penalty due to Zidane's red card.
- Ndiaye's Celebration
- Cautioned for excessive celebration.
- Goalkeeper Attire
- Goalkeepers can wear tracksuit bottoms.
- Throw-in Rule
- Goals cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.