What is the correct restart after a goal kick if the ball is blown back into the goal by the wind?

When a goal kick is taken, the ball must leave the penalty area before it can be played by another player. If the ball, after being kicked, is blown back into the goal by the wind without being touched or played by any other player, the restart should be a goal kick because the original procedure of taking the goal kick was followed correctly.

In such a scenario, the goal cannot count as a goal since the ball was not legitimately put into play and is considered still in the process of the goal kick. Therefore, the correct restart remains a goal kick, allowing the team to perform another goal kick under the same original circumstances. This maintains the flow of the game and ensures adherence to the rules surrounding goal kicks.

Understanding this helps reinforce the importance of properly executing restarts and recognizing the role environmental factors may play in the game's dynamics. It ensures that rules are applied consistently, thereby promoting fair play.