Question Number: 21204

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 4/27/2009

RE: rec Under 16

Adam wolstenholme of manchester, england asks...

If a player shoots and the ball is heading in the goal however is knocked in by an outside influence eg a dog, would you give an indirect free kick to the attacking team from where the initial shot took place?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Nope. You would award a dropped ball at the spot the outside agent interfered with play unless inside the goal area in which case you would drop the ball on the six yard line parallel to where the interference took place.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Adam, any time an outside agent - dog, duck, trainer, coach, fan, baby, etc. (basically anyone not a player, substitute or substituted player) - enters the field and interferes with the game, the game is stopped, the outside agent is removed and play is restarted with a dropped ball wherever the ball was when play was stopped, subject to the special circumstances applying in the goal area.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Drop ball is the only recourse here. Once CONTACT is made there is no other option. If the outside agent did NOT affect the shot the advantage principle is to let the play stand!

I had a dog come on to the field about 6 yards inside the corner area as a shot came in from an attack the shot scored and the disgruntled coach felt the fact the dog on the field I must stop play! In truth the dog entry I only saw after but the dog affected nothing. If the dog was closer to the action or I saw it in anyway as a threat to the players in the vicinity say in the goal area then we stop likely play and deal with it immediately!

On a side note FAIR PLAY and honor still exist. A team that is UNFAIRLY denied a goal by such an action the opposition upon realizing the intervention was unethical or truly affected the outcome can choose not to contest or even not stop a goal if they wish!
Cheers