Question Number: 18385

Law 1- The Field 2/17/2008

RE: COMPETIVE Under 17

ANTONETTA RODI of NAPLES, FLORIDA USA asks...

I AM THE PRESIDENT OF OUR SOCCER CLUB AND THIS WEEK THE CITY PUT UP NETS BEHIND THE GOALS THAT ARE RIGHT UP AGAINST THE GOALS SO THAT BALLS CAN NOT GO INTO THE STREETS AND THEY ARE ABOUT 24 FT. HIGH AND THE POST TO SECURE THESE NETS ARE STICKING OUT OF THE GROUND (THERE ARE 4) ABOUT 3 FT. AND THE POSTS ARE ABOUT 2 INCHES IN DIA, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING IN GOAL RULES OR REGUALTIONS THAT THERE IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE ANYTHING BEHIND A GOAL IN CASE OF A PLAYER PLAYING THE GAME TRIES TO SAVE THE BALL AND THEY COULD RUN INTO THESE POST AND GET SERIOUSLY HURT AND THE CITY HAS NO CLUE ON THIS AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT INFORMATION ON THIS CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME AND E-MAIL ASAP PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BECUASE THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN

THANKS
ANTONETTA

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

It is difficult to form a picture of what these nets look like and exactly where they are. Prior to July 1997 Law I included what is known as a photographers' line. This line provided a clear zone behind the goal line. The line, if marked, began 2 m behind each corner flag extending to 3,5 m behind each intersection of the goal area and goal line thence to a point 6 m behind each goal post. The International FA Board considered press photographers on or behind that line as not interfering with player's safety. If what you have is inside that area then it could impinge on safety especially if hard or unyielding objects were present that constitute a danger if contacted at pace.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Antonetta, why in the world would you want to put something up that could seriously injure the players? Think about the legal liability if nothing else. You yourself say there's a danger so what do you think a plaintiff attorney will say in open court? It would be nice to keep the soccer balls from going into the streets but if the posts for the nets cannot be made safe, it's a really bad idea.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

A netted area to stop the balls from entering traffic makes sense however, it sounds as if the design is not user friendly. If there are solid posts that are tight to the immediate play area given players run towards a goal in an effort to score or get to the ball first it is likely some sort of collision is inevitable.
Lawyers lie in the wings just for this sort of thing
If it is not safe do not play!
It sounds like the city engineer needed to consult their legal department.
Cheers