FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game

The goal clearance is a method of restarting play.

A goal clearance is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the attacking team, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10.

A goal may not be scored directly from a goal clearance.

Position of the players

The opponents must be:

• on the pitch and outside the penalty area of the team taking the goal clearance until the ball is in play

Procedure

• The ball is thrown from any point inside the penalty area by the goalkeeper of the defending team
• The goalkeeper of the defending team takes the goal clearance within four seconds of being ready to do so
• The ball is in play when it is thrown directly out of the penalty area by the goalkeeper of the defending team

Infringements and sanctions

If the ball is not thrown directly out of the penalty area from a goal clearance:

• the clearance is retaken, but the four-second count is not reset and continues once the goalkeeper is ready to retake it

If the ball is in play and the goalkeeper touches the ball again (except with his hands) before it has touched an opponent (except if it has accidentally touched another player):

• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 - Position of free kick)  

If the ball is in play and the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:

• a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred outside the goalkeeper's penalty area, to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 - Position of free kick) and his team is sanctioned with an accumulated foul
• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if the infringement occurred inside the goalkeeper's penalty area, to be taken from the penalty area line at the point nearest to where infringement occurred (see Law 13 - Position of free kick)

If the goal clearance is not taken within four seconds:

• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, to be taken from the penalty area line at the place nearest to where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 - Position of free kick)

If the goal clearance is taken with attacking players inside the penalty area:

• the clearance is retaken if any of the attacking players touches the ball or prevents the clearance from being taken properly

In the event of any other infringements of this Law:

• the goal clearance is retaken. If the infringement has been committed by the team taking the clearance, the four-second count is not reset and continues once the goalkeeper is ready to retake the clearance