Question Number: 25775

Law 1- The Field 11/27/2011

RE: Under 15

Filippo of Palermo, Italy asks...

Why do corner flagposts exist?

The question may sound simple, but it is something I really wonder: the most important (and, perhaps, the only) reason is that they ideally divide the goal line from the touch line, so than it is always clear when a throw-in has to be awarded, or when a goal kick/corner kick. But this is pointless, since the flagpost is only 1,50 meters tall, and if the ball leaves the field of play (in the air) directly above the corner flagpost, we still cannot decide if we have to award a throw-in or a corner kick/goal kick.
In fact, if we think about it... the Laws of the Game of Futsal never speak about corner flagposts, since they don't exist there!

Not to mention that, in spite of being useless, they are compulsory, while other 'things' we could find in a field of play are optional even if they are (in my opinion) very useful, such as the marks off the field of play used to show the required distance players must respect during a corner kick.

So, do they exist only because someone once said 'We need something placed at each corner so that if the ball hits them, it still remains in play in order to fool everyone who thinks it's going outside the field of play'?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I'm not sure of the historical perspective of flagposts, but I sure appreciate them on a day when the lines are very faint.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The corner flags exist to assist the referee in making decisions when the ball exits the field over either the touchline or the goal line. In many areas of the world, a single referee is all the teams have - no assistants on the lines - and those flags can make all the difference in assisting the referee in making the right call.

Air balls will always be a guesstimate, with or without assistance.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Filippo
Going back to the early days of the game there were no field markings. Pitches were marked off with flags along the touchline.
Like all games the law makers introduced new rules over the years to control the game which included pitch markings.
While other flags were removed the corner flags I suspect were left in place to help the assistant and referee delineate visually between the intersection of goal line and touchline.
Personally I find them very useful as it does give some above ground point of reference when the ball is kicked into the corner to help decide between a throw in, goal kick or corner kick. In poor fields it can be difficult to see the corner markings and indeed to pick up the corner location quickly to help with making the call.
As regards Futsal the officials are always close to the action and it is easier to make the call. Also with the one exception of a goal cannot be be scored directly from a kick in there is no difference between a corner kick and a kick in compared to a corner kick or a throw in in the regular game. Close decisions on a throw in compared to a corner kick are contested and the corner flag helps to elimate many of the less doubtful ones.
BTW if the corner flags are not present the game most if not all associations advise that the game can still go ahead and the matter reported in the match report.