Question Number: 23230

Law 1- The Field 5/2/2010

RE: Competive Under 17

Pat O'Malley of Santa Barbara, CA usa asks...

Is it a violation of the Laws of the Game if on a very windy day, the corner flag inserted into a flexible base is wiping about in a manner that could be considered dangerous to a player taking a corner kick, and after being instructed by the center referee to do so, holds the top of the flag pole stationary until the kick is taken?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee O'Malley
In the pre match inspection this should be dealt with. I have come across this problem in the past and I have positioned the spring in such a way that the movement of the flag is away from the FOP and it does not impede the taking of the corner kick. I have found that the weakness in the spring is usually in one direction only.
As regards who should be holding the flag I'm not sure who you refer to? Is it the AR or another player? My view is that it should be sorted without the need to resort to this. If it is so dangerous and it cannot be sorted I would play without the corner flags and report it to the competition organisers.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Holding the flag upright is not a problem, and this should be accomplished by a teammate. The assistant referee has other matters to attend to at a corner kick, so this is not something s/he can or should ever do.

Removing the flag, or bending it away from the upright position is a problem, and should be addressed by the referee hopefully before the game, but definitely if it occurs during the game. If the flag cannot be repaired, fixed or otherwise caused to not interfere with play it should be removed (by the referee team).