Question Number: 23503

Law 5 - The Referee 6/19/2010

RE: Competive Adult

Adnan Binmahfuz of aurangabad, Maharashtra India asks...

Dear Sir,
The present winning goal controversy on behalf of the United States which is going on of the Fifa World Cup match which held between United States and Solvenia on 18 june 2010. The Fifa will verdict on Monday regarding the United States 3rd goal which officially didn't recognize by the Match referee Mr.Koman Coulibaly. I just want to know if the decision come in favor of United States, the Goal would be consider Official?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

No. FIFA will only (possibly) comment on the performance of the referee. The game results will not be changed.

If there was no US foul, then the referee made an error in judgment. Law 5 says that the decisions of the referee are final. Even if those decisions should happen to be incorrect.

Game results can only be put aside in the event that the referee misapplied the Laws of the Game - for example, using the incorrect restart. In that event, FIFA would order the game replayed.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Adnan
Unless the referee made an error in Law the game result will stand. In this case the referee made a call based on what he saw in the game and the result is final.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I would be shocked if the decision were over turned. They may comment on the referees performance.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Adnan, if FIFA changes the outcome of that game it would be a first. It would open a can of worms so big that every game from here on in would be protested. It is more likely that Cameroon would win the 2010 World Cup than the result of US vs SLOV be changed!