Question Number: 33839

High School 1/16/2020

RE: Varsity High School

Derek of Cary, IL USA asks...

While doing penalty kicks to determine a winner after a game, one of the keepers is cautioned and must sit out for one of the opponent's kicks. His team decides to use a field player as the goalkeeper during this time. Does the field player need to change his jersey, or in the interest of time (mostly because light is an issue) can we avoid this delay and just have him set up in goal as-is?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Derek,
I agree with my colleague ref McHugh that during kicks from the penalty mark there is no danger of the goalkeeper being mistaken for an outfield player in a crowd, so the requirement to wear a different jersey is not so critical. For me, it would be up to the referee to decide in conjunction with the team, with time being one of the considerations as you say - although to be honest it probably takes most keepers longer to put on their gloves than it does to change a jersey.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Derek
Common sense and given the time issue I would suggest that it is not necessary to change jerseys. However a team for delay reasons might want to do it so that has to be facilitated
The reason for the different jersey is to clearly distinguish the goalkeeper from outfield players. As that is not an issue in KFTPM then perhaps it can be let slide by agreement in exceptional circumstances.
I know that in higher levels of the game where the goalkeeper is dismissed the jersey change is insisted upon.
Personally I see little point in that and it adds a further complication of numbering as the *new* goalkeeper will have to either take off or cover his existing jersey.
Rule and convention says the goalkeeper should be wearing the GK jersey at all times. Circumstances and common sense may suggest that it is not essential as the detriment of doing that may far out-way the benefit.
To paraphrase a sentence from IFAB the rules cannot deal with every possible situation, so where there is no direct provision in the rules, the referee is expected to make a decision within the *spirit * of the game.
In a game last season with inclement weather both teams asked me not to play extra time yet go straight to penalties. The ROC said a further period of 20 minutes was required. With agreement I went straight to KFTPM and no complaint from anyone.