What should the referee do if the ball deflects off them and into the goal after a corner kick?

In the situation where the ball deflects off the referee after a corner kick and goes into the goal, the best course of action is to stop play and award a dropped ball. This is because the Laws of the Game state that if the ball makes contact with a match official and subsequently goes into the goal, play should not continue. The rationale behind this is rooted in the principle that the referee should not be an influencing factor in the scoring of a goal. A dropped ball is a fair way to restart play, allowing both teams a chance to compete for possession in a neutral fashion.

Awarding a goal in this scenario would incorrectly validate a score that should not stand due to the referee's unintentional involvement. Similarly, restarting play with a goal kick or awarding a corner kick would not appropriately address the situation, as it does not take into account the circumstances surrounding the referee's involvement. Stopping play and performing a dropped ball maintains the integrity of the match and ensures fair competition.