Question Number: 18447

Law 1- The Field 3/1/2008

RE: Rec Under 11

Brett Peavler of Brookfield, Wisconsin USA asks...

I just want to make a comment on my law
19 1/2. It ties in to law 19, talking about a dumb ref, but law 19 1/2 states that to avoid being a dumb ref, you shouldn't compromise the rules or safety regulations because of outside influences. Okay, here comes the story, I was reffing a game at a public park and I was inspecting the field when I realized that neither of the goals were tied down. Neither the coaches nor I had any equipment to tie it down, and it was pretty windy so I called the game. There was some questioning and dirty looks at me but the parents and fans left. As everybody started to leave, a gust of wind knocked one of the goals over. If there had been a kid under there it would have been broken bone city. Now a few parents came by(I wish)and commented on that smart move. I hope this experience teaches a few reffs a lesson, it sure did for me.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The Law is clear on this. You are responsible for player safety and get what you deserve if you compromise this. You did well. the goals have to be anchored. Period. This is stated in Law 1. I likewise have been chided for not allowing a game to proceed with goals not anchored. In fact, a parent and coach complained to Board members when this came up years ago. Those parents would probably be the first to sue if I had allowed the game to be played and their child was injured. Continue to stick by your guns!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Actually the International Football Association Board writes the Laws and FIFA publishes them. We mere referees are only there to enforce them. If you wanted to you could look in Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game and find paragraphs 1.2 Safety and 1.3 Goals. It is written there exactly what a referee should do given issues with either. Bottom line is a referee NEVER starts a match with the goals in a condition where they could topple over. For that matter if there is any issue of safety it will be corrected before the match starts or he will refuse to officiate the game.

There is no Law 18, 19 or 19 1/2. Please stop creating new myths.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

No need to ascertain why a person chooses to believe the things they do it is of sufficient knowledge to know that most do not fully understand Law 1 the Field of Play
Safety
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement

It feels good to be right does it not? Well done

This is straight forward no need to invoke mysticism to cover your butt.
The frequent use of these law terms other than the 17 on record tend to create some distortions that are far too often excuses to do the wrong thing as much arrive at a decision best suited for a match incident on a given day. The ability to correctly apply the existing 17 laws is in my opinion the force of bendability to interpret both the spirit and the reasoning of the letter of law. If that is referred to as law 18 then so be it but it is in understanding the application of the 17 real laws where experience and wisdom come together.
Common sense is not at all that common.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

When it comes to unanchored goal...I have no compromise. They must be anchored or no game. Each year x amount of people die because of unanchored goals.