Question Number: 12974

Law 1- The Field 6/6/2006

RE: Recreational Under 13

Patrick Collins of Rochester, New York USA asks...

We just played a game that the other team wrapped the goal poles with stuffed snakes. I asked the referee and the comment was that they are part of the pole, they would act the same as if the referee was to impeed the ball progress.

I just shook my head.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Nice effort on behalf of whoever thought this one up. Law 1 states the goals must be white. The Law states the posts and crossbar are not to exceed 5 inches width and depth. It states they consist of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined by a horizontal crossbar.

No mention is made of snakes stuffed or other wise. There is mention in International FA Board Decision 3 of Law 3 regarding extraneous equipment; that decision is included so the referee may come to a correct decision in future matches:

Decision 3

No kind of commercial advertising, whether real or virtual, is permitted on the field of play and field equipment (including the goal nets and the areas they enclose) from the time the teams enter the field of play until they have left it at half-time and from the time the teams re-enter the field of play until the end of the match. In particular, no advertising material of any kind may be displayed on goals, nets, flagposts or their flags. No extraneous equipment (cameras, microphones, etc.) may be attached to these items.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Patrick,
you got a picture Right? Please send it! cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Would love a picture!!

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yeah send a picture of this.