Question Number: 19039

Mechanics 5/9/2008

Al of Strathroy, ON CANADA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 18993

Ball in and out of goal. Just wanted to suggest adding a bit to answers already posted.

This appears to be a communication error between AR and Referee. I have been there, but in different situations.

FIFA ATR recommends in case of tight goal: Flag up, wait for eye contact and whistle (or wave off), sprint toward center line to indicate goal (or put flag down and carry on).

AR seemed to be running before any communication happened.

I too am confounded why R would ignore AR on this one unless AR is very inexperienced. Even 6 yards off goalline, R will not see this as well as AR in correct position.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Al this is understood. For many years the USSF has published a Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials [GTP] and therein is exactly the procedure you state. Funny thing is in the near future I expect FIFA to publish something very much like the GTP and expect all referees to conform to a standard.

Now a "what if" for you -- the assistant was listed as very inexperienced and that leads to the matter of positioning. Was the assistant standing on the goal line when the flag was raised or was he someplace else. I have experiences assistant referees trying to sell the ball over the goal line from the top of the penalty area when I was inside the penalty mark. You can guess how fast that flag was waved off. Could this be the same sort of thing?

Last week I saw the ball questionably over the goal line for a goal and looked to my assistant, he ran the last 4 or so yards to the goal line, faced the goal and up went the flag. I had absolutely no trouble selling the goal. Position is everything, it makes the sale. If he stopped 6 yards from the goal line and raised the flag I would have been forced to wave him off because he could not see from where he was and sell the decision.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I think this is one signal that is not emphasized enough in referee certification classes. I had a game that, after several restarts, I went to talk to the AR to see if the carping coach had a valid complaint. "Yeah, I think the ball was in." Gee thanks, now you tell me. I had to apologize to the coach that due to our inability to communicate the goal could not count. I mentioned the AR didn't know the signal - "But he does now!"