Question Number: 26513

Law 1- The Field 6/29/2012

RE: 8 Professional

Andy Kmita of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA USA asks...

Haw to place a square goal post if the field line is
a) smaller then a post
b) larger then a post

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

As Ref Voshol notes, when faced with a goal post and line that are different sizes, place the back edge of the post on the back edge of the line.

It makes it much easier for the assistant referee to judge if all of the ball has crossed all of the goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Andy
The Laws of the Game state that both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, which do not exceed 5 ins. The goal lines must be of the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar.
Generally there is never a significant difference between the width of the goal posts and the goal line and certainly none that pose a playing issue. However if there is a significant difference the referee has to make a call as to how best to deal with that given the circumstances he finds. The more common problem is poorly marked lines rather then sizing. At the professional level that would rarely happen.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There is no answer to this, because the Laws of the Game state that the goalpost and line must be the same width.

However, things are not always ideal in youth and amateur play. Since a goal is scored when all of the ball has passed all of the line, the goal should be placed so its back edge is at the back edge of the line. That will give one continuous line for determining if the ball has crossed the line or not.