Question Number: 21791

Law 1- The Field 8/17/2009

RE: rec Adult

diego of newark, nj essex asks...

what is the fifa rule if during the game there is a whole on the goal net..fifa law just states if theres damege on the crossbars then theres a stoppage is it also for if theres damage on the goal net

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Believe it or not, the laws of the game do not require nets.

Most league rules, however, do. Before the match, the referees should check the nets and request that gaps and holes be fixed (tapes or ties usually work). If not corrected, the balls always seem to find the holes and this can lead to controversy over whether a goal was scored. But, the match can be played with holes/gaps in the net.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

While the laws of the game do not require nets to have goals, before the match it is prudent for the officials to check the nets for holes, particularly if the net has come away from the post at all.

Sometimes this can occur during the match, in which case it would probably be wise to have it corrected at the next stoppage - assuming that you're not interfering with a player's right to quickly restart play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

FIFA doesn't even require nets. At our local level, part of my kit are scissors and string with which to repair nets