Question Number: 16990

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/30/2007

RE: Under 14

Ed Leahy of West Springfield, Massachusetts usa asks...

I was told if a goalie comes out into the play of field, and dribbles the ball, if another player covers the goal and that player blocks a shot, the shooting team is automatically awarded a goal and given a red card!!??!! That seems outrageous to me. Could you please clarify all rules around this situation?? Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Goals are never automatically awarded. If the ball does not go completely across the line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, it simply is not a goal.

How did the player block the shot? If he did it legally, using his feet, legs, head or body, great for him! I'm sure he'll have some choice words for his keeper, making him sacrifice his body like that.

If the player commits a foul in stopping the ball, say by handling, then the ref decides whether it falls into the criteria of Denying An Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO). If the ball most likely would have gone into the net except for the handling, the player would be sent off and shown the red card for DOGSO.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

It is outrageous to "give" a goal and automatically "red card" some one. Firstly the referee only awards a goal when the requirements of Law 10 have been met. Ball under the crossbar, between the posts completely and the Laws of the Game not infringed by the team scoring the goal. There must be a reason written in the Laws to send-off a player, blocking a goal is not one of those reasons. Deliberately handling the ball to deny a goal or an opportunity to score a goal is. The referee must determine how the goal is blocked before doing anything.

Remember just because something is outrageous does not grant you license to protest verbally during the match. You doing this is specifically addressed in Law 5 where it states a member of the technical staff conducting himself irresponsibly is expelled from the technical area.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Would you PLEASE send into us just who told you this as it's the biggest piece of nonsense to come our way that I remember. And we see a LOT of nonsense at our site.