# PKs in Football/Soccer Shouldn't Count Towards the Goal Count for that Player **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [July 6, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455 "2026-07-06T13:11:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/21 "2026-07-06T20:23:24Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > I opined in another thread that goals scored by dick should count double I see no reason why basketball should be any different. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/22 "2026-07-06T20:55:42Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > They ignore goals in extra time? I think that means that they normalize by total time. Like, if someone gets a total of 4 goals in 120 total minutes of play time, that’s 3/90. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/23 "2026-07-06T21:00:34Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I see no reason why basketball should be any different. If you score a bucket with your Unit, it should count for way more than double! ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/24 "2026-07-07T00:00:42Z")
correct ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/25 "2026-07-07T00:46:14Z")
So like baseball’s ERA: it’s average performance over the equivalent of a standard complete game. Play 5 minutes in the first game of the season, score one goal, and your goals/90 number is 18. Very quickly as you accumulate minutes of playing time and the very occasional goal, that number is going to converge to something more normal / realistic. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/26 "2026-07-07T06:13:31Z")
What happens if the goalie saves the penalty, and the taker puts the rebound in? Does it count or not? What if someone else scores the rebound? ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/27 "2026-07-07T06:20:37Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > What happens if the goalie saves the penalty, and the taker puts the rebound in? Does it count or not? 2 shots on target by the taker, one save by the goalie, one goal for the taker (though in terms of “penalty conversion” it would count as a miss). > [@iamatractorboy](#): > > What if someone else scores the rebound? They score a goal. The ball is live as soon as it is kicked by the penalty taker. ETA: I should note, of course, that these are for penalty kicks given for fouls in the box, not for those used to select a team to progress after an extra-time tie. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/28 "2026-07-07T06:46:14Z")
There’s a reason Ronaldo is called Penaldo. In response to the idea that the fouled player must be the one to take the kick: It sounds good in theory, but what if the foul was of a nature that left him somewhat injured? If a player has taking a big collision to his knee, his ensuing penalty kick will be weak. Although it would be easy to make an exception. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/29 "2026-07-07T07:23:03Z")
I think the idea has merit. However, I do understand soccer loves its traditions, meaning this might be harder to convince them to change. I wonder if just counting PKs separately might be an easier ask. It sounds like it’s already done somewhat unofficially. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/30 "2026-07-07T07:41:06Z")
A player’s goal count has no relevance to the outcome of any given game or competition, it’s little more than an excuse for an after dinner award and something for journalists to talk about. As in other examples, non soccer fans completely overestimate the importance of statistics in the game. No one experienced in the sport would want to significantly alter the way the game for this. If you want to publish the statistics of who has scored the most goals while excluding penalties, then do so, no one’s stopping you. Anyway, a huge proportion of penalties are given for handball, so there’s no individual player who has been fouled. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/31 "2026-07-07T07:42:00Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > However, I do understand soccer loves its traditions, meaning this might be harder to convince them to change. Tradition isn’t the reason this won’t happen. The reason is that it’s a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/32 "2026-07-07T09:14:37Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > What happens if the goalie saves the penalty, and the taker puts the rebound in? Does it count or not? What if someone else scores the rebound? I would count it as a “real” goal no matter who puts it in after the goalie saves it. > [@Velocity](#): > > It sounds good in theory, but what if the foul was of a nature that left him somewhat injured? Whoever subs in for that player can take the shot. > [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](#): > > A player’s goal count has no relevance to the outcome of any given game or competition The Golden Boot will be awarded to the player with the most goals, penalty kicks or not. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/33 "2026-07-07T11:50:04Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > The Golden Boot will be awarded to the player with the most goals, penalty kicks or not. If it matters so much, then petition them to change the rules for the Golden Boot, not the game. As I say, the Golden Boot is nothing more than an excuse for a jolly - it would be absurd to significantly alter the way the game is played for the sake of something that has got nothing to do with identifying the best football team. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/34 "2026-07-07T12:11:31Z")
It will significantly alter the game to have PKs not count toward the player’s goal stats?? ---
**Author:** ![colinfred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colinfred/32/21338_2.png) [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/35 "2026-07-07T12:14:26Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > t will significantly alter the game to have PKs not count toward the player’s goal stats? I believe that was in reference to the other part: fouled players must take their own penalty kicks. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/36 "2026-07-07T12:14:34Z")
Well, there are multiple ideas under discussion here. One is personal stats. Another is having the PK taken by the fouled player or their substitute if they’re too injured to continue. The latter would alter game play. You’re certainly right the former would not. Or if it did have an effect it would be just about negligible. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/37 "2026-07-07T12:32:16Z")
The proposal was maybe to count the goal if the fouled player had to take it. Even that wouldn’t significantly alter the game. PKs would go from 80 percent to, what, 75 percent? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/38 "2026-07-07T13:05:16Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > It will significantly alter the game to have PKs not count toward the player’s goal stats?? Edited - yes, making a fouled player take a penalty will significantly alter a game. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/39 "2026-07-07T13:06:32Z")
I don’t think a change is needed as to who can take PKs, but I also don’t think forcing the fouled player to take the kick would change much about the game. People bring up offside rule changes a lot, all of which would lead to massive tactical changes. I don’t see that happening w/ PKs: forwards get fouled the most and are usually the ones taking PKs anyway, non-foul PKs would still be presumably be taken by a chosen player, deliberately fouling “bad” PK takers would be an insane strategy that would lose you every game and also get tons of people sent off. Overall scoring would decrease slightly. Apparently in the EPL this year there were 92 PKs awarded and 69 scored. Even if the rate fell off massively, PKs were like 6% of the total goals scored in the league, you’re going to go down to like 5% ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455/40 "2026-07-07T13:17:07Z")
It would also be a significant change to the philosophy of the game, for no reason other than to make it more like some American sports. And as I’ve already mentioned, many penalties are for handball, not fouling a player. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pks-in-football-soccer-shouldnt-count-towards-the-goal-count-for-that-player/1031455.md?page=3)