Question Number: 19054

Law 16 - Goal Kick 5/10/2008

RE: Rec Under 13

Ben Citrin of Madison, Connecticut United States asks...

The red team kicks the ball out over the endline and a white goalkick has been awared. However, before the kick is taken a white player has gone down because of an ankle injury that has occured. What is the proper restart?

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ben,
the restart was a goal kick, PLAY is STOPPED! The injury occurs after that fact and before the kick is taken, the restart is ALWAYS going to be a goal kick. The restart is likely delayed to take care of the injury or even if there was MISCONDUCT for the conduct that could have caused it caution show yellow or send off show a red card once things are settled we are taking that goal kick.

Only if that injury occurred via a foul that the referee learned from a neutral AR in behind the play PRIOR to the ball going out of play for the goal kick could we alter the restart since no restart has YET occurred the referee could be convinced to change his mind.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Ben, I understand your confusion. Usually we base the restart on "what happened first". If before the ball went out for a goal kick your AR saw the left defender commit a foul, we would be restarting with a free kick (or PK) for the foul.

The ref has the duty to stop play only for serious injuries. Because you didn't stop play before the ball went over the end line, the injury wasn't deemed serious by you at that time. The injury was only discovered after the ball was already out of play. Therefore the restart remains a goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Goal kick. Even if the injury occurred first, play was not stopped for it.