Scandal in Boca-Defensa y Justicia: why the unusual goal of the Halcón was disallowed while the Xeneize celebrated

The closing of the match between Boca and Defensa y Justicia at La Bombonera left an unusual and controversial scene. While the xeneizes players celebrated Enner Valencia's last-minute goal, the visitors took the ball from the center, advanced unopposed, and sent the ball into the unprotected goal. However, referee Sebastián Zunino did not validate the action.

The episode occurred on Saturday, November 7, during the 1-0 victory that allowed Boca to claim the title of the Annual Table of the Professional League. The images went viral and raised a question: could Defensa take advantage of the rival's celebration to equalize?

Valencia's goal that sparked the celebration at La Bombonera

The match seemed headed for a goalless draw, a result that complicated Boca's aspirations in the dispute with Rosario Central. In the sixth minute of added time, Valencia scored the goal that changed the outcome of the match.

The Boca players ran towards the goal defended by Matías Borgogno and gathered to celebrate. In that context, the Halcón players headed to the center circle and quickly put the ball in play.

The play ended with the ball in Boca's goal, but Zunino immediately invalidated it. The official result remained 1-0, and the Xeneize could celebrate their championship.

The two requirements of Rule 8 that were not met

The explanation lies in the Rule 8 of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which regulates the start and resumption of play after a goal.

The rule states that all players, except the one taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field. At the time of Defensa's attempt, several Boca players were still celebrating in the opposing half, so that condition was not met.

The regulation also requires that the ball be stationary at the center spot and, fundamentally, that the referee signals to resume the match. According to reports and images of the play, Zunino had not yet authorized the kick-off.

Therefore, the fact that Defensa advanced and scored did not turn that action into a valid goal. In the case of a procedural infraction like this, the initial kick-off should be repeated.

Can you take a kick-off if the entire opponent is celebrating off the field?

The controversy revived a widespread belief among fans: that a team can take a kick-off when all eleven opponents leave the field to celebrate.

This exception is not stated in the Laws of the Game. The IFAB itself explicitly states that the kick-off should not be allowed if the players of the scoring team are still celebrating off the field, as they must be in their own half for the resumption.

In this case, moreover, part of Boca's squad was still on the field. There was also no necessary referee signal. It was not, then, a debatable situation about whether the goal was unprotected, but rather about the failure to meet the conditions to put the ball back in play.

The confusion also reached Rosario Central

The episode had repercussions outside La Bombonera. According to LA NACION, there was a rumor circulating at the Gigante de Arroyito that Defensa y Justicia had equalized. Since that result favored Rosario Central's aspirations, some players and fans of the canallas began to celebrate.

Minutes later, it was clarified that Defensa's conversion had not been valid. Boca maintained the victory and secured the title of the Annual Table, which represented their 75th star.

Rule 8 does allow for a direct goal from a kick-off, but only when the resumption is executed correctly. In Defensa y Justicia's play, essential requirements were missing. Therefore, Zunino's decision was in accordance with the current regulations.