Question Number: 19296

Law 1- The Field 6/7/2008

RE: Under 11

David Kreider of North Newton, KS USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14358

In a 3v3 tournament the wind dislodges corner of goal post lifting it up about a foot. A shot is taken that goes through the spot where the goal post had been positioned and under the net. What is the proper call? Dead ball, fix net and restart? Goal?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The proper call is to suspend the game until someone fastens down that goal. And severely flog the referee until he confesses just why he allowed the game to begin with a dangerous goal.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The correct decision is never start a match unless a portable goal is securely fastened to the ground. This is basic stuff. The goal could just as easily blown over and landed on a U-11 player's head. Then you would be asking what is the restart when play is stopped to remove a player killed by a goal crushing his head. You might think this is well over the top, it isn't. Every year an some inattentive referee fails to ensure a goal is securely fastened and someone is killed or injured.

Your proper call is to suspend all play within your league until someone educates your referees regarding the seriousness of being lazy. You also might want to check your league's insurance liability regarding allowing this known hazard to exist at the start of a match.

Law 1 states:

"Safety

Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement."

If I was representing the family of a player killed by one of your goals the referee would be the first person called to the witness chair. I would open the Laws of the Game to page 7 and ask him if he was familiar with this paragraph. I would then ask who verified the goal was anchored securely. Next I would call the person who assigned the referee to the match. Next I would call the league's president and ask him who appointed the assignor. I would then rest my case.

There is no defense possible because the wind blew the goal over so it could not have been anchored securely...

This is more serious than you can possibly believe. It is a matter of like and death. Treat it as such.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I can only echo my associates beliefs. I cannot emphasize strongly enough ho important it is to anchor the goals. I have held up tournaments much to the chagrin of coordinators until a goal or goals were safely anchored but player safety is and should always be the most important thing to consider.