Question Number: 16253

Law 1- The Field 8/9/2007

RE: Adult

dave of dublin, dublin ireland asks...

is the area inside the goal nets ( behind the line) still part of the playing field and subject to game rules??

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The area enclosed by the net is not a part of the field.

As far as "subject to game rules", that depends on what part of the Laws you are talking about. It is equivalent to any other area adjacent to the field. Players can commit misconduct off the field, but not fouls.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

No. The area you describe is not part of the field of play. However, misconduct may still be committed in this location just as it can be committed anywhere on the field of play within the vicinity of the field. The only practical difference you'll encounter is that no penal foul can be committed in there who because it's off the field of play.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

No and yes. The area inside the goal nets is not part of the field, but the players are still subject to the Laws of the Game while in that location. An example: an attacker is behind the goalkeeper, inside the goal net area, and screams at the goalkeeper just as a shot is taken by the attacker's teammate, causing the keeper to miss the ball. Caution for the attacker, and restart is a dropped ball at the top of the goal area line closest to where the attacker committed his infraction. The players, substitutes and substituted players are always under the jurisdiction of the referee crew from the moment they take the field (and its' immediate environs - read technical area, area outside the touchlines and behind the goals, etc.) until the referee crew leaves the field.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The area outside the boundary lines is not part of the field of play. The referee can discipline players or subs that commit misconduct in this area however. Also, if a player enters this area in an attempt to place an opponent in an offside position, then they should be cautioned and are considered to be on the field at the point where they left the field of play.