Question Number: 22015

Law 1- The Field 9/19/2009

RE: Adult

anthony geraghty of dublin, ireland asks...

i was on a referee course yesterday and the instructor said that it is ok to referee a game without nets, corner flags or markings on the pitch. i haven't seen anything that says nets and markings a compulsary but it does say that corner flags are and when i mentioned this he said i was wrong. am i? can a referee ref a match without cornerflags? surely this would mean that there are no boundaries and would be virtually impossible to control the game?

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Anthony, you are quite correct. Law 1 specifically states that flagposts must be placed at each corner. This instructor actually said you do NOT need markings on he field?? That is totally absurd. I have reffed a game without the penalty mark or the arc but never without at least the boundaries, half way line and the penalty area markings.
I think you should go back to him and send him or her an email clarifying this. Make sure you copy the email to your association so he knows that others are involved.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The only 'optional items' in Law 1 are flags off the halfway line and the option marks off the field that indicate 10 yards from the corner arc. But, I believe the instructor was addressing what to do if you arrive at a field that lacks the requirements of law 1: do you refuse to permit the match to be played, or do you play and report the deficiencies?

Although a high level match would never be played without strict compliance with law 1 (corner flags, true rectangular fields, penalty marks, 5 inch lines spaced correctly, etc.), most amateur matches are played with fields that are deficient. The issue for those (our?) matches is whether the field is safe (never play with unanchored goals) , and the markings suffice to make it fair and fun for the players.

Corner flags are very helpful for the referee to determine whether the ball went out of play at the touchline or goal line, but it is possible to play a safe, fair, and enjoyable match without them. Similarly, it is possible to enjoy a match with cones to mark the penalty area. It would be impossible to play a competitive match without any markings or flags.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The game can be played without nets, as they are not required. What must be present is an anchored goal. If the goal isn't anchored safely, then no game can be played - PERIOD.

While it is nice and quite useful to have lines and corner flags and nets, a recreational Sunday afternoon game can be played well enough without them. No competitive level game would be played without such items, however.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The reality of getting the match played is likely OK for grassroots and a recreational match but many leagues specify the field conditions under which the game will be permitted to stand as a result and when it must be replayed. You could play then report the deficiencies as teams are punished if they have the responsibility to look after the pitch in some areas. Some leagues will insist you do not play if you note these deficiencies!
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The fact FIFA designates Corner flags as compulsory does highlight their importance but a soft cone or kit bag in a pinch allows a match to be completed is not the worst thing in life. The key point here is SAFETY certain things MUST be upheld or you as referee could face criminal neglect. Especially in the cases of unsecured goals and broken crossbars or corner flags under 5 feet pointed or dangerous in some way. On faded lines I have substituted flat cones and tried to get the match in as often these are men on a Saturday or Sunday or a weekday evening that travel and make great sacrifices of family time to get to the pitch to abandon unnecessarily causes undue hardship and bad feelings!

It will depend on you the two team's willingness to abide by the conditions and whether the league will back those conditions. I tell teams eager to play on poorly marked pitches or net less goals or unmarked post less corners. You play, I referee any problems with what I decide as to field markings then the match is over!
Cheers