Question Number: 23248

Law 5 - The Referee 5/4/2010

RE: Travel Under 13

Gwyn Williams of Bridgewater, NJ USA asks...

I was center ref for a U12 boys travel game. A shot was well saved down low by the left post by the goalkeeper and cleared by his defense. The ball came out to about 10 yards outside the penalty area to an attacker who took a shot. As I turned to look back at the goal I see the goalkeeper on his knees holding his arm in the middle of the goal. The ball enters the goal.
This all happens in the course of say 5 seconds.
I consult with my lead AR - who did not raise his flag - and he says that the GK got up after the first save and went back in goal and then went to his knees.
I gave a goal - of course the coach was upset - but not disrespectful (for a change) -saying there was a 'man down'
I felt bad for the GK and his team but didn't see how I could disallow the goal.
(There was no foul - the GK fell on his arm)
A player down on the field that does not need immediate attention would not necessitate a stoppage of play but does the GK get special consideration?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gwyn
In the Laws of the Game the goalkeeper gets no special attention in respect of an injury. If it is a serious injury play should be stopped. In the circumstances described there is nothing the referee can do as he must follow the ball and as he is not aware that the goalkeeper is down injured play just continues.
The goal must be allowed and his team have to learn to deal with this situation by alerting the officials to the 'injury'. Clearly if you have been aware you would have stopped play.
Also it is always important to discuss this in the prematch discussion among the referee crew. If the AR sees the GK down he/she should alert the referee of this situation. In a game situation however with a lot going on it can be difficult to be aware of this. Perhaps positioning can help a little as well with perhaps with a broader view of play and subsequent play being adopted with the AR in view, should he wish to draw the referee's attention to this or other matters.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

You were correct to allow the goal.

The referee will stop play in case of a serious injury, and what is serious depends on the age of the players and the level of competition. IMO, a referee will be quicker to stop play for an injury to a keeper than a similar injury to a field player. But, there is no requirement in the laws that would disallow a goal because the keeper was unable to play.

The AR, however, did see the keeper go down and should have gotten the immediate attention of the referee. One thing I discuss in the pregame is - when an immediate stoppage of play is needed - - the AR should feel free to get my attention by flag, by calling my name, by yelling - but get my attention.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

To play Devil's Advocate I'll throw this out.'Had you seen the keeper go down, would you have stopped play before the goal was scored?'You went to the AR who told you the keeper went down before the shot. If you would have stopped play upon seeing the goalkeeper down, I think you would be within Law to disallow the goal as your AR saw it. The AR is your eyes for things you don't see.

Law 5 tells us the referee 'acts on the advice of the assistant referees regarding incidents that he has not seen' and "The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee or the fourth official, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match."

Since you "saw" the keeper go down through the eyes of your AR, you should be allowed to disallow the goal.