Question Number: 31408

Law 3 - The Players 3/29/2017

steve of Altadena, ca us asks...

This question is a follow up to question 31396

AYSO categorically does not have a rule modification that would require an injured GK to leave the field of play. In AYSO, referees for U10 are very often very new referees. (And all referees in AYSO are volunteers -- many extremely dedicated, some who were volunteered by someone they know.) In the game described, it is pretty obvious what happened: the referee properly remembered the general rule that an injured player who is attended on the field must leave (temporarily or for a sub), but forgot the exemption for a GK. (The other possibility is that the referee confused the US high school rule -- I'm not sure if it is currently the case, but it at least used to be true that High School did not include the FIFA exemption for GKs.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steve
Thanks for your input which is helpful.
It is a modification that I would not expect to see as it is not allowed by IFAB. Having said that I have seen one or two once off competition ROCs that were plainly not allowed. For instance I have seen a sin bin rule for a long weekend three game underage competition?
In respect of NFHS an injured goalkeeper must leave the field of play and must be replaced. He can return at the next stoppage.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Steve,
I had assumed that the referee had just got confused about the law as regards the exemption for goalkeepers but you're right, the NFHS rules do require both outfield players and keepers to leave the field if the clock has been stopped for injury so that might also have caused the confusion.