Question Number: 2405

League Specific

RE: Womens Over 30 - recreational Adult

Kathy Perregaux of Upton, MA US asks...

Referee report re. Grafton v. Sudbury 9/16/01.Submitted by Kathy P., Upton Womens Soccer 9/24/01..I met with Bruce P. on 9/23/01 at 10 am. Bruce is a knowledgeable, licensed ref who Upton has used many times. Bruce is not related to or friends with any players on either the Grafton or Sudbury teams...Bruce (the ref) stated that with the score 2-0 (Sudbury), Sudbury was attacking and near the penalty area. Grafton’s goalie hand-balled the ball outside the box. Bruce called the penalty and awarded a direct kick. Sudbury immediately set up and took the kick and scored...Grafton protested the call believing an indirect kick was the proper call. At this point Bruce lost his train of thought and was thinking that the penalty was for a pass-back to the goalie. He called the goal back and awarded an indirect kick. Sudbury failed to score on the indirect.Subsequently Grafton scored 3 goals and Sudbury 1 more and the game ended up tied 3-3. ..After the game Bruce discussed the situation with the captains of each team. He admitted he blew the call and a direct kick is always awarded for a hand ball. He did not record the goal from the blown call in the score...Sudbury officially filed protest 9/21/01. Sudbury would like the contended goal(and win) awarded.

Answer provided by Referee Victor Matheson

This is a tough call since it is clear that a referee error occurred that could have changed the outcome of the match. It is also not fair to simply give the one team an extra goal, because the opposing team wouldn't necessarily have played in the same way had the original goal been counted. There is no law in the books about how to deal with this sort of thing. The only thing that I can think of that would be truly fair is to replay the match or not have the match count at all in the standings. The match could also be replayed from the point the error was made with the goal counting. Obviously, the other choice is to ssimply say that mistakes happen and let the game stand as played. However, there is nothing in the laws that would allow you to simply make the score 4-3 in the standings. It's too bad that the referee made the error, but I applaud his character that he admitted the mistake after the game and talked with the captains about it.

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Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi Kathy,.. I assume you are asking for an opinion as to whether your protest is valid?.. While a referee can arbitrarily decide ITOOTR he can not alter the law. If as you have stated the keeper handled the ball outside the penalty area it ia a DFK and possibly a card for the keeper. ..For the referee to rethink his position and change his call has created a situation. The momentum and state of the game would be directly affected by the referees actions. Depending on the statements from the other team and the referee confirming your story. ..I would be inclined to think (as a league offical) the protest would be considered and quite likely a replay ordered. As referees, we do not determine whether a team wins or loses based on error. Let us know the final outcome. We all make mistakes just remember to have fun out there. Cheers.

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