Question Number: 21964

Mechanics 9/13/2009

RE: AYSO Under 11

Scott Worthington of Huntington Beach, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21938

Hi,

Referee Wickham says 'There is only ONE event where the assistant referee should raise the flag when a goal has been scored - - - when the player who scored was offisde.'

But in LOTG, in the interpretation portion of Law 6, it says: 'When a goal has been scored but the ball appears still to be in play, the assistant referee must first raise his flag to attract the referee's attention then continue with the normal goal procedure of running quickly 25-30 metres along the touch line to towards the halfway line.'

So there are TWO events, right?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Two events, but two opposite directions.

In the case Ref Wickham mentions, this is the signal the AR uses when *denying* a goal. Since Q#21938 was about taking away a goal, this is the signal he refers to.

In the case you present, it is the signal the AR uses to stop play to *award* a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yep.

The better statement would be 'The only time the referee should raise the flag to indicate a problem with what appears to be a goal is if the player who scored the goal was offside.'

My pregame instruction on how the assistant referee indicates a goal when the ball has returned into play adds the following. 'If you are not already at the corner flag, run to the corner and then raise the flag. When I whistle, wait two or three seconds and then sprint up the line. I want you to wait because it will take a moment for the players to see you after I blow the whistle. I want them to see that you are right on the goal line in position to make that call.'

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ref Wickham was referring to what to do if a goal is to be disallowed and he was correct. In Guide To Procedures under the heading Apparent Goal To Be Disallowed it says:

? Signals the referee according to the
situation
 If the scorer was offside at the
moment the ball was passed to
him or her, signals offside
 If there was a foul by an
attacker, stands at attention
with the flag held straight
down at the side
 If a player other than the scorer
was in an offside position and,
in the opinion of the assistant
referee, was interfering with
play or with an opponent,
stands at attention with the flag
held straight down at the side
 Assumes the proper position
for the restart indicated by the
referee