Question Number: 21386

Mechanics 5/19/2009

RE: Under 16

frank of somewherein, ct USA asks...

Blown protocol? At a recent match a player put a shot on goal which bulged the net. CR gave goal kick and AR froze, not signaling goal by running up the line. (regional refs) At some point AR came out and they talked, CR gave goal.

There was a large hole on side of net, i would assume CR knew of since they should have inspected it. Not sure if it was a factor in his initially giving goal kick but he did.

Unless AR blew his signal for goal by freezing, neither signaled goal but talked and decided goal. A seasoned ref froze!

I know in general an AR's duty is calling the ball over the goal line and not making an 'inside the post' call but he did not signal goal and did it on a goal with a hole in the net? Not good.

My question, can a CR accept an overturn a goal kick for a goal when an AR's input is about which side of the post the ball went? Part of LOTG? I'm guessing an AR can have this sort of influence but not on MY watch!!

It was ugly

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

So Frank, you would rather rob the team of a goal instead of admitting that you had seen something wrong and accepting the advice of your assistant referee? To me, that is ugly. Remind me never to accept an assignment with you. I prefer to be part of a team that works together to be correct. I don't want to be a bystander watching my colleague get something wrong.

And of course the referee can change his decision - it says so right in the Laws. Page 22, under Decisions of the Referee: 'The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee or the fourth official, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match.'

As for 'freezing', that is a valid AR signal. It indicates that the AR saw the goal, but that there is potentially something which could invalidate it. For example, if a player other than the goal-scorer was offside.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It's hard to improve on my colleague's answer, but I would suggest you spend some more time reading not only the Laws of the Game, but also the Guide to Procedures.

The answers to your questions today are not hard to locate in those documents. Some questions are harder, granted, and that is when reading the Advice to Referees might assist (available online at www.ussoccer.com - actually, all of these publications are available there) , and of course, we here at AskTheRef strive to fill in the gaps.

If only we could all be graceful and correct all of the time! But, as a referee who tries to conduct herself in a professional manner at all times, I would rather be right than graceful. If it looks ugly, so be it. My integrity and that of the game demand my ego take second place to getting the call right, and supporting my team.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The AR did not like the goal kick signal and wanted to discuss the shot with the referee as opposed to running up the line to indicate a goal. What's ugly about that? The important thing is to get it right. Of course the referee may change any decision he makes as long as play has not restarted. He received additional information from his AR and acted accordingly. Well done in my book.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

A referee with integrity sees what he sees and acts on what he knows to be true. Sometimes we eat crow if we know we engaged mouth before brain was in gear or saw it momentarily different than what the laws actual allow us to. Ugly or beauty is all in the eye of the beholder. One team will enjoy a non goal taken away the other will be sorely disappointed. A crew of officials works together and in the pre-game need to IDENTIFY a problem with the nets so they can be fixed as part of their duties.
Cheers