Question Number: 22452

Mechanics 11/6/2009

RE: Adult

Joe of La Mirada, Ca USA asks...

I need clarification on this question since I've been told different answers..

After a goal is made where should the referee point there hands, to the center of the field or to the goal area?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joe
In Europe many referees point towards the centre circle but that is not necessary nor is blowing the whistle, that is unless the ball has come back into play.
A goal is normally one of the most obvious events in the game so in my opinion the referee has to do nothing by way of signals.The important part is to ensure that signals are not confused.
Page 75/76 of the current LotG covers the IFAB/FIFA approved signals.

This is what the ATR says and I quote

5.4 REFEREE SIGNALS
Referee signals should be restricted to those authorized by IFAB/FIFA (play on-advantage, penalty kick, indirect free kick, direct free kick, goal kick, corner kick, and caution or expulsion when showing the card), unless there is a clear need to communicate other information to the players or to the assistant referees and fourth official. Other signals or methods of communication intended to supplement (not replace) those described in the USSF Guide to Procedures are permitted only if they do not conflict with established procedures and only if they do not intrude on the game, are not distracting, are limited in number and purpose, and are fully agreed upon before the match. Such signals should be kept to an absolute minimum, and should not be demonstrative or draw undue attention to the referee (or the assistant referee). Although the routine use of signals which identify fouls is not generally recommended, referees should be prepared to quickly indicate what sort of foul has occurred when this may deter further questions, disagreements, misunderstanding, or dissent.
The whistle is required for all ceremonial restarts (every penalty kick and kick-off, plus any other restart which the referee has delayed for any reason). The whistle is needed to:
? start play (1st, 2nd half), after a goal
? stop play for a free kick or penalty kick, if match is suspended or abandoned, or when a period of play has ended due to the expiration of time
? restart play at free kicks when the wall is ordered back the appropriate distance or for penalty kicks
? restart play after it has been stopped due to the issue of a yellow or red card for misconduct, injury, or substitution
The whistle is NOT needed
? to stop play for a goal kick, corner kick or throw-in, a goal
? to restart play from a free kick, goal kick, corner kick, throw-in
No whistle is needed when play is restarted with a dropped ball. Except where required, whistling at other times should be held to a minimum so that, when it is truly needed to gain the attention of players, the whistle is more likely to have the desired impact.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Pointing toward the center is the correct signal. USSF Guide to Procedures says the referee, 'Points up field and, only when satisfied that the teams are disengaged and further attention on the goal area is not needed, backpedals toward center circle'

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Since you are inquiring about a situation that occurs in the US, the referee is supposed to follow the USSF publication Guide To Procedures for referees, assistant referees, and fourth officials which states:

Referee
? Checks visually with the assistant
referee
? Ensures that view of assistant
referee is maintained long enough
to see a signal for a goal in cases
where the ball is being played close
to the goal and may have briefly but
fully entered the goal

? Points up field and, only when
satisfied that the teams are
disengaged and further attention
on the goal area is not needed,
backpedals toward center circle

So the correct answer is points up field and if you say points to the center circle or center line, that too would be correct as that also indicates upfield. In no case should the referee point towards the goal area