After awarding a corner kick, if it is determined the ball never crossed the goal line, what is the proper restart?

When a corner kick is awarded but it's subsequently determined that the ball never crossed the goal line, a dropped ball is the appropriate method for restarting the game. The Laws of the Game specify that if the ball was awarded a corner kick based on an incorrect assumption that the ball had crossed the goal line out of play, play should simply resume with a dropped ball at the location where the ball was when the error was recognized.

In this scenario, other options do not apply because an indirect free kick would be inappropriate as there was no foul committed, while awarding a new corner kick or dropping the ball at the goal line does not address the situation accurately. The dropped ball method ensures that play is continued fairly under the circumstances, adhering to the spirit of the game and the rules governing correct restarts.