Question Number: 19589

Law 5 - The Referee 7/8/2008

RE: REC. Compettives Adult

Stefan Eriksson of Vancouver, BC Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 19587

We have an issue. we are in playoffs semi finals. the lights went out on the penalty shots in ot. now does the penaltys restart at 0-0 or continue at 1-0 ??? the shootouts have to take place on a subsequent day. the lights never came on and the ref called the game. so when the shootout resumes On saturday what is the recourse? 1-0 or 0-0???

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

FIFA's answer would probably be to replay the game in its entirety.

You will have to check with the tournament rules committee to see what they have determined for such an eventuality. Oh, wait, they didn't forsee this. So they will be making it up on the spot. There is no overriding rule that covers it.

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Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Per FIFA
Abandoned Match
An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules provide otherwise.

Often stadiums with night lights have set policy. Either they forsaw this as a possibility and know what action they will take as it is in the bylaws or they will make up something to achieve a result as needed!
Cheers PS if I was on the board and voted I would vote for a match replay as the playing conditions cannot be duplicated although I understand the need to get a result and time constraints they may well decide to something different
I am equally curious let us know!


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Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Check the local league or tournament policies here. Not a referees concern.

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