Question Number: 14144

Law 1- The Field 10/15/2006

RE: Travelling Under 13

Sergio Campodonico of Staten Island, NY USA asks...

Our goalkeeper has the habit of marking a line with his foot from the center of goal to the six yard line or beyond. It helps him orient himself on goal. The other coach complained to the ref that it was unsportsmanlike behavior. The ref did nothing about it. But I'm wondering. What law would the GK be breaking? Law 1? Field markings?

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Well Sergio if the referees in your area read anything about The Game and especially FIFA's Q&A 2006 they would know this, from Law 1:

3. A goalkeeper or another player draws unauthorised marks on the field of play with his foot. What action does the referee take?

If the referee notices this before the match starts, the offending player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour. If the referee notices this being done during the match, he cautions the offending player for unsporting behaviour when the ball next goes out of play.

Your referee assignor might need to know this so it may be passed on to the local "referees".

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Can't do this Sergio. This is unsporting behavior and will result in either erasing the mark and a caution . I've had keepers try the same thing and make them erase the mark. If the mark can't be erased, I'll make 5 or 6 similar marks so the keeper won't be able to use any of them but that has happened only once in the thousand odd games I've refereed.