Question Number: 14358

Law 1- The Field 11/4/2006

RE: competative Adult

paul of london, england asks...

What is the ruling for if the goal posts are moved during the game. in a recent match we faced a corner and the oppositon player bundled into the goal posts moving them from there marking. I belived as soon as the posts were moved the ball was dead is this true?

What would have happened if a goal had been scored whislt the goal was in the wrong postion?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is a problem as the goal, oer FIFA Law #1, has to be anchored which means they cannot be moved. The referee did a poor job inspecting the field before the game as he's required to do. As soon as the referee noticed the goal was moved he should have stopped play and not restarted until the goal was properly positioned and anchored as required. the game should not be restarted until the goal is anchored. If a goal had been scored and the goal was only slightly moved, I expect it would be allowed.

Read other questions answered by Referee Keith Contarino

View Referee Keith Contarino profile

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The match should not start until goals are anchored to ground so if the referee does his job and chekcs field...then it is not a problem. If it did happen, I would stop play and restart with a drop ball. The game does not restart until goal is fixed.

Read other questions answered by Referee Ben Mueller

View Referee Ben Mueller profile

Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 14358
Read other Q & A regarding Law 1- The Field

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 19296

See Question: 22066

Soccer Referee Extras: Did you Ask the Ref? Find your answer here.

Enter Question Number

If you received a response regarding a submitted question enter your question number above to find the answer

Offside Question?
Offside Explained by Chuck Fleischer & Richard Dawson, Former & Current Editor of AskTheRef

<>
This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site are welcomed! <>