Question Number: 15725

Law 3 - Number of Players 6/8/2007

RE: interschool Under 16

Roy Lehmann of dimboola, victoria Australia asks...

We made it to the final and ended up going to a penalty kick off. for this whole game they had one goal keeper. We were just about to take the first kick and the other team swapped their goalie with the best player of their team! Are they allowed to do that! my coach has never heard of anything like this so has lodged a complaint.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Following Law 17 in the Laws of the Game, there is a section on Procedures to Determine a Winner, including Kicks From The Penalty Mark (KFTPM). There are 3 bullet points that apply here:

* A goalkeeper who is injured while kicks are being taken from the penalty mark and is unable to continue as goalkeeper may be replaced by a named substitute provided his team has not used the maximum number of substitutes permitted under the competition rules
* With the exception of the foregoing case, only players who are on the fi eld of play at the end of the match, which includes extra time where appropriate, are allowed to take kicks from the penalty mark
* An eligible player may change places with the goalkeeper at any time when kicks from the penalty mark are being taken

So as long as that best player was on the field at the end of play, he may swap places with the goalkeeper that was playing for the whole game.

Perhaps your coach has not seen this done before because when teams are playing in games that must have a winner (knockout rounds, finals, etc.) they will usually have their best goalkeeper playing in the game.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the player was eligible to take kicks he may play in goal

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

If the player was on the field at the end of the game he may switch places with the goalkeeper, though the keeper must still be a kicker if it ever gets around to him.

Or

If he was not on the field, but the goalkeeper became injured and the team still had a substitution remaining they may have substituted him in place of the goalkeeper.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Roy,
The protest by the coach likely has no merit!
If this player was on the field at the match end, he is allowed to replace the keeper. Best defence against a good keeper is put the ball where he is not! Tactically switching keepers, could create confusion for the opposition even if it hurt the feelings of the original keeper. As I often point out the need for victory will create situations where personal feelings are put aside for the greatest good aka when a WIN is desired!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The goalkeeper changing places with an outfield player is a right given in Law 3. The referee must be notified before it's done and he cannot refuse! The coach should withdraw his complaint.

Regards,