Question Number: 19487

Law 1- The Field 6/23/2008

RE: travel Under 13

kevin sirwatka of jamestown, new york usa asks...

during travel soccer we were scheduled to play an important game which would impact firsdt, second and third place standings. The condition of the field was a bog. there was literally between 3 and 4 inches of standing water and mud slop everywhere. The ball would stop, the girls would kick at it, and not move. more than a hand ful of the girls slipped and fell. The assigned ref was made aware of the safety concerns- ankle, knees,etc.- but answered that he had seen worse. being that he had sole discretion on the field we played. the home coach said it was due to rain the night before but other league coaches have complained about the bog. please advise on how to proceed.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Did you take photographs of the pitch? Do you have game video?

Short of that the laws of the game state that the referee has the authority to determine if a pitch is safe for play or not. If he deems it safe, then that is a fact connected with play and thus is safe.

Now, if you had visual evidence that lacked bias, or perhaps the testimony of players, coaches, and parents from both sides that the park was unplayable you could appeal the match. The league could order a replay and reprimand the referee. However, without support on that level it might be hard to prove a case as it is ultimately up to the referee to determine saftey.

Though, it does sound like if your story is true then this game should have been postponed or moved to a new field.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Crap fields suck no two ways about it. The referee is the guy who says yea or nay. As a coach you could withdraw but face the consequences of doing so. I recall once we refused to play on an icy pitch and had the director of referees come down he was not happy and upon exiting his vehicle onto the pitch he promptly slipped and fell. The match was delayed until later that afternoon when the sun had some time to thaw the field out. Mind you the director is not often a cell phone call away at a nearby pitch. Sometimes you do what you do knowing the possibility of consequences but cannot complain if you suffer them. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You might consider the ground in Bern, Switzerland where torrential rains did what you describe to a EUFA 2008 finals match. The first period of play was all to the Swiss side, who had apparently practiced quit a bit in boggy conditions. When things dried out their opponents were able to pull back two goals and run out winners. The commentators complained mightily about conditions but the players just carried on given prevailing conditions. More than a handful of those players slipped and fell.

How to proceed? If the referee says the ground is playable then you play. If the play demonstrates an inability to be successful in those conditions you adjust how and where you conduct practice sessions.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Wow! I would have probably not played on that field, but the LOTG give the referee full authority to make this decision. This would be awfully hard to appeal since equal conditions were for both sides.