Question Number: 15404

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/6/2007

RE: competive High School

Scott Michael Gentry of louisville, ky u.s. asks...

what is the rule when an opponent slides hard into the goal keeper on a 50/50 ball and the opponent make contact with the keeper and the ball at the same time and injures the keeper

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

That depends on if the referee determines there is a foul or not. Most likely what you're saying indicates there was a foul. But without more information I can't provide you any more details.

Certainly, the injured keeper should receive treatment immediately.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

First, soccer is a tough physical sport and injuries may occur without a foul. On a 50/50 ball the referee has to decide if the opponent was careless or reckless with the contact. If not,no foul EVEN IF THE KEEPER IS INJURED.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The convention is any player is entitled to play any ball not in the grasp of either goalkeeper. US High School also affords the referee is to disqualify, without warning, any player who flagrantly fouls the goalkeeper.

As a goalkeeper I have had bones broken during challenges and there was no foul play! Wasn't a goal either! And that's a good thing!

A coach assigns a player to goalkeeper because she is good with her hands, fearless and of the mind nothing will pass into her goal. These players are few and far between so when they're bent the loss is a significant one. Remember, she's there because she's fearless and doesn't want to give up a goal -- if getting bent saves a goal she, in her mind, has done very well indeed. If she draws a foul that's even better. Half-half balls are the hardest to judge, especially if both players are committed to the challenge. In these there are, sometimes, teeth, hair and eyeballs scattered about with no foul committed.

Regards,