[mosdef]

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Why can't the ref award a goal? If a defender made a diving outstretched goal line save when the ball was going straight into the center of the goal you're telling me the refs only recourse would be a penalty and a sending off? That would be a pretty dumb rule imo.

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The ref can't award a goal because that isn't the rule. It isn't the rule because in 99% of game situations a penalty + a dismissal is better than a goal. If a defender is smart enough to punch out a goal right at the end of the game, taking a meaningless dismissal but giving his keeper a chance to save the penalty, I say more power to him.