Question Number: 25019

Law 1- The Field 5/28/2011

RE: Under 14

Filippo of Palermo, Italy asks...

We know that if the ball rebounds off a corner flagposts and still remains in play, the referee allows the play to continue.
But Law 1 states that:
'Flagposts may also be placed at each end of the halfway line, not less than 1 m (1 yd) outside the touch line.'

So, my question is:
If, because of the wind, one of these flagposts lands on the field of play, touching the ball which was heading to the touch line, thus preventing it to go out of play, what action should the referee take?

Does the referee have to stop play, considering the 'halfway flagpost' as an outside agent, and thus restarting with a dropped ball?
Or does the referee have to take no action, as if it were a corner flagpost?

I think the correct option is the second one, but I am not really sure.
Furthermore, Law 9 states that:
'If, when the ball is in play, it touches the referee or an assistant referee who is temporarily on the field of play, play continues because the referee and the assistant referees are part of the match.'
And the halfway flagposts are 'part of the match', so this statement could apply also to these flagposts.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Filipp0
Flags at the half way line are indeed rare and I have never seen them used.
If the flagpost has landed on the field of play the game should be stopped and the post replaced. Play should be restarted with a dropped ball.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Filippo:

If a corner flag is in the intended position, it is on the field of play. The optional halfway flag is not.

When something is not in its intended position and affects play, the wise referee will stop play -- correct the item, and restart with a dropped ball. If it does not affect play, the wise referee will wait to have it fixed when the ball next goes out of play.

Referees do not have to drop their common sense when they pick up the whistle.