Question Number: 22389

Law 5 - The Referee 10/29/2009

RE: competative Adult

Mick O'Sulllivan of Luton, uk asks...

The ref at start of game tells both captains (ours was the keeper) that in the case of any trouble that they would be called to defuse the situation, this happened in the centre circle and a free kick was given to opposing team, that team then took a quick freekick (after asking ref) whilst our keeper was on way back to goal, and hit it straight into an empty net, the goal was given.....but should it have been allowed ???

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Poor mechanics by the referee. While normally we would encourage a quick free kick, in this instance where the referee's own instructions are what got the keeper out of position, the restart should have been with a whistle from the referee AFTER the keeper was back in place.

If I had been the one making that mistake, I would have called it back, because I had erred in letting the kick go forward without a whistle, and had the kick retaken. This was NOT a quick free kick situation.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Poor refereeing by the official here. The play should not have been allowed to restart until the keeper had returned to his goal. It is also a restart on the whistle due to the caution/warning. The reason he was there was at the behest of the referee. Having said that there is nothing really in the laws to disallow as it was a mistake by the referee. It is also poor sportsmanship by the attacking team to use the situation. All round a poor effort and not what the game is about.
It also highlights a point for me about the goalkeeper as captain being used in these situations. It disrupts the game due to the delay and makes little sense. I believe that the vice captain should be used in these situations. Doesn't make sense bringing the keeper maybe 50/80 yards to then go back 50/80 yards away from the player that the ref is trying to influence.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It can be a great idea to use captains, but this illustrates how even a great idea can go awry if used in the wrong way. It makes little sense to use the keeper and not delay the restart until the keeper is ready. The referee has the power to delay the restart of play until the referee whistles: this sounded like a good opportunity to use that power.