Question Number: 22066

Law 1- The Field 9/24/2009

RE: Adult

Martin Akerlund of Stockholm, Sweden asks...

This question is a follow up to question 14358

An odd thing happened just before kickoff in a game between two teams in the top league. The goals at this particular stadium are anchored to the ground (obviously) but the actual goal posts are not. After the referee's inspection but before the kickoff, the away team's goal keeper moved each goal post about 10 cm (1/3 ft) effectively making the goal smaller. Rather amazingly this wasn't spotted and rectified until twenty minutes into the game. What should be the proper action? (The ref moved the posts back but didn't caution the goalie)

Here he goes...
http://gfx.aftonbladet-cdn.se/multimedia/dynamic/01030/24s11-mal2-507_jpg_1030611l.jpg

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

AT minimum a caution for altering the field markings. I have to wonder if the ball had hit the post and bounced away if it could fit the criterion of DOGSO via a INDFK for misconduct? I also wonder are they really secure??
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Players are not allowed to make unauthorised marks on the field of play or interfere with equipment. In this case I would suspect the following
1. Officials carried out a pre match inspection and found everything to be in order
2. Officials probably did not see who moved the posts and therefore the referee could not be certain that the keeper should be cautioned. If the ref did see the action then it would result in a caution.
3. In a match the officials have enough going on to engage them fully without expecting players to interfere with the goalposts.
4. The referee should note this in his match report to the League

Interfering with goalposts in this manner is dangerous with the possibility that the posts could fall and seriously injure a player. Associations throughout the world have put special emphasis on goalpost safety due to a number of fatalities that have been suffered as a result of injuries sustained by falling posts and crossbars.
I would also question how it was possible to do this and question the design and structure of the posts.
I believe from the photo shown that the Swedish Authorities should take 'retrospective' action against the goalkeeper for this foolhardy action and carry out an inspection of the goals.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The goals must be anchored or the game cannot begin. Your assertion that the goals were anchored is not correct. Simply sitting on the ground is not the same as anchored. Anchored means the goal cannot be easily moved, pulled over, picked up, blown over or otherwise adjusted without the okay of the officials or the facilities management.

If the goal posts can be moved as these apparently were, then the goal is not properly anchored and the game should never have begun. That is referee error, and a facilities issue.

Hopefully, all of this went into the referee's report, and it will be addressed before another game is played at that facility or any others like it.