Question Number: 15576

Mechanics 5/23/2007

RE: Under 14

Todd of Rockford, IL USA asks...

In a game that I was the center ref, I had the following situation:
Attacking player gets a breakaway, defender is racing in from the side and the goalkeeper comes out to challenge. The ball gets away from the attacker for a moment and the attacker slides to try and get the ball past the onrushing keeper. At the same time, the defender catches up and becomes involved in a three way collision with all three players going for the ball at the same time. All three players go down to the ground. Defender gets up and is about two to three steps away from the attacking player. The keeper's momentom took him over top of the sliding attacker and was on the ground behind the attacker. The attacker now has a clear and open shot on goal and kicks the ball while still on the ground and into the net. In my opinion, the attacker's kicking motion was not near any of the other players involved and therefore, was not dangerous (defender was on the opposite side of the attacker's body, away from his kicking leg). However, the defending team, all at once, starts yelling that the attacker cannot kick the ball while on the ground. Unfortunately, indicision on my part, and inexperience with refereeing - I hesitated with any call and eventually took the side of the yelling defenders and called no goal. Granted, this is a rec league - not club - and the score was already lopsided - I still blew the call by heitating and allowing myself to be influenced by the yelling players. I have since chalked it up as a learning experience and have vowed to not let it happen again. However, to my question - Goal or No Goal?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Of course it should have been a goal. There is no "you can't play on the ground" rule - no matter how many times we hear it. And you had decided it wasn't dangerous play.

Experience is the best teacher, and the best lessons come from your own bad experiences. Glad you're able to move on. Look at it this way - there's one more mistake you won't make in the future.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

You called no goal thus no goal it is!

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.
Facts connected with play shall include whether a goal is scored or not and the result of the match.

However, as a learning experience you were incorrect a GOAL would likely be correct! Not listening to those who yell at you would be correct as well as possible discipline against the dissent and a 3 way collision likely has foul elements that could be considered but since you saw none then who are we to say different. However, lets eliminate this myth on the ground nonsense! It is NOT a foul or infringement to play the ball while on the ground. PERIOD!!!
PIADM (playing in a dangerous manner) is not grounded in such foolishness but rather based on substance whereby a player is unfairly disadvantaged by the unsafe actions of an opponent. We also allow a reasonable amount of time for player's on the ground to arise to their feet. What we do NOT do is punish a player just for kicking at the ball while on the ground. Nor do we punish a player solely for falling or being knocked down to the ground on top of the ball.

What do the players do?

If that ball was under the body of the opponent then we can see a player guilty of a DFK of attempting to kick or kick if he tries to get it out from under!
If the attempt to kick is stopped by the player because the opponent's head or arm was placed over the ball to cover it up then we have an INDFK for playing in a dangerous manner.
Cheers