In football, when the ball strikes the frame of the goal or the referee and remains within the goal and touch lines, it is:

still in play

The correct answer is Option (2) - still in play

In football, when the ball strikes the frame of the goal or the referee and remains within the goal and touch lines, it is still in play.

• The ball is only considered out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touchline, irrespective of whether it is in the air or on the ground.
• Additionally, the referee's body is not considered part of the playing field, and the ball can still be in play if it bounces off them.