What action must the referee take if a goal has been scored after an infringement?

When a goal is scored after an infringement, the appropriate action is to award a free kick to the opposing team rather than allowing the goal to stand. This is because the Laws of the Game stipulate that if a goal is scored in the midst of any infringement – such as a foul or violation of the rules – the goal cannot be recognized.

Infringements can range from minor fouls to more serious violations and occur before the scoring event. If a team commits a foul that leads to a goal being scored, that goal is invalidated as the play is considered to have been disrupted. Therefore, the referee must stop the game and awarded a free kick to the opposing team at the location where the infringement occurred.

This rule ensures that the integrity of the game is maintained, and that teams are held accountable for their actions on the field. Understanding this principle is crucial for referees, as it upholds fair play and proper conduct during matches.