Can a goalkeeper score an own goal by throwing the ball?

Can a Goalkeeper Throw the Ball into Their Own Net?

It sounds bizarre, but yes—technically, a goalkeeper can score an own goal by throwing the ball. While it’s incredibly rare, the laws of the game make it possible under specific circumstances.

Here’s how it works: when a goalkeeper takes a throw from inside their own penalty area—usually after collecting a back pass or a cross—they’re still subject to the same rules as any other player. If, in a moment of miscalculation or distraction, they throw the ball directly into their own net without it touching another player, it counts as an own goal.

But there’s an important distinction: unlike a throw-in from the touchline, a goalkeeper’s throw is considered part of active play, meaning the ball is live. So if it ends up in the goal they’re defending, and no other player has touched it, the opposing team is awarded a goal. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) confirms that any ball entering the goal directly from a goalkeeper’s hand throw counts as a valid own goal.

Now, before you picture goalkeepers flinging the ball into their own net on purpose—don’t worry. The design of the goal, the positioning of defenders, and basic instinct make such a mistake almost unthinkable in real match conditions. Still, the rules account for it, just in case.

Interestingly, this differs from a throw-in taken by an outfield player. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in against the opposing team, let alone oneself. But a goalkeeper’s throw isn’t a "throw-in"—it’s a release from possession, and thus treated differently.

So while it’s unlikely you’ll see it happen anytime soon, the possibility remains: yes, a keeper can throw the ball into their own net—and it does count.