Question Number: 13963

Law 18 - Common Sense 9/28/2006

RE: High School

ANGIE YOUNKER of TAYLORVILLE, IL USA asks...

we just came home from an away game where a soccer parent from the opposing team was taking pictures with a flash camera. it was dark and he was standind directly behind the goal we were trying to defend. every time one of their players would take a goal shot, the camera guy would snap a picture. it was very hard for our kids to defend the goal when they had those "spots" in their eyes from the camera flash. talking to the guy didn't help and the refs really didn't know what the IHSA rules state.Comments?
thsnks!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

No one is permitted directly behind either goal in a US High School match unless seated in the bleachers. I have had difficulty with this before, especially with the press. A photographer seemed to think using flash, from the goal post, to illuminate the goalkeepers play was perfectly OK. I requested the camera man cease and desist. He claimed freedom of the press. He was again asked to leave and he refused.

Afterwards I stopped play each time the flash went off and restarted with an indirect free kick to the defense [No, I didn't drop the ball]. It even cost the home side a goal. The coach of the home side finally had him removed. I should have abandoned the match because he was creating a danger to the goalkeeper, the flash in his eyes momentarily blinded him.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No one can stand behind goal. Referee should have delt with this.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Angie,
Stop the match and while I am of the opinion all in attendance to a man should step up to the bar and say take a hike to the fool with the camera. The match does not continue with this as an ongoing problem!
Some people think it was an inheriant right to do as you described. Rude and self rightous do what I want type individuals are so full of their own stupidity and arrogance that reality checks just do not seem to phase them.

NO one should be in around the keeper during a match.

The only difference I did restart with a dropball to the keeper (the opposition did not participate) and after requesting it to stop , asking the coaching staff for help we eventually called local law enforcement and had them removed.

Freedom to do as one wishes is anarchy if it does not consider the freedom of others. In my opinion freedom is the ulitimate responsibility of a just society and those who marginalize the needs of others for personal gain are as bent as the fanatics that see positive outcomes in blowing themselves up. It is an abuse of freewill and choice and no it is not a right to be able to be a dipnit it is a pathetic living condition which others must bear the burden unfairly.
Cheers