Question Number: 24985

Law 5 - The Referee 5/21/2011

RE: competitive High School

Dave Meisinger of colorado springs, co usa asks...

High school soccer plays a running clock. With 20 seconds left, team A fouls Team B at mid-field. The ball remains on the field in Team B's half. Several of Team B's players rush to the ball in order to get it in place for the kick to be taken before time expires. While doing so, Team B's sideline rolls a ball onto the field in order for the kick to be taken in time. The game ball is still on the field of play. While the ball is still rolling, Team B's takes the kick with the new ball and scores with 2 seconds left. Is this a good goal and what is the rule on multiple balls in play?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There are supposed to be at least 3 balls ready (inspected and passed by the referee) prior to the game beginning. Usually, there is one behind each goal and then the one being used to start the game. There can be more, but all balls are subject to the required inspection by the referee.

Since the referee would have to inspect a new ball, if it wasn't one of the original ones, the new ball would not be allowed. The game should be stopped, the clock stopped, and the ball issue resolved.

In no way, should a second ball have been allowed on the field when the original ball was still present. The clock should be stopped, the issue resolved and the game resumed with whichever ball (most likely the current game ball) the referee directs the teams to use. The goal should not have counted, given the facts cited above.

Unfortunately, most high school associations/leagues do not allow any protests based on what the referee does or doesn't do - right or wrong. I'm not sure about Colorado.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. The goal should not be allowed.

When the match ball is on the field of play, it may be replaced only with the permission of the referee. (Permission is implied when the match ball leaves the field of play and is replaced by a ball the referee inspected and approved before the match.) The defense is entitled to focus on THE ball, not all balls that may be thrown onto the field. It was misconduct for Team B to throw the second ball on the field in this situation

This leads to a unique aspect of high school rules. If the referee decides to caution the misconduct, the clock is stopped (which, of course, is what Team B wants). Team B will be given a chance to shoot (for the clock when not start again until the ball is kicked and moves). If the referee decides to ignore the misconduct, the clock continues to run. Team B has kicked the wrong ball, and the match ends when the clock expires.

In a match played under TLOG, the referee has the option to stop play for the misconduct; and to caution the substitute (or dismiss the team official). Although play again restarts with the free kick, the referee is not required to add time. The referee may decide that the match has ended between the time of the foul and the restart or the referee may decide to add time and permit the restart. What is just and fair is left to the discretion of the referee.

Normally, when an extra ball comes onto the field, the referee will stop play if the second ball has any effect on play. There have been a number of controversies this year in European leagues when the home team's ball handlers have thrown balls onto the field of play for tactical reasons. It would not surprise me to see this addressed by FIFA/IFAB in the near future.