Question Number: 17946

Law 3 - Number of Players 11/18/2007

RE: Grade 8 Other

Jim of Naperville, IL USA asks...

If a keeper is sent off for DOGSO, does the keeper's team get to put a new keeper in (by subbing out another player-- and should I, the ref, allow this sub to take place before the PK/DFK is taken?)

Also, different question: a player is sent off in the first half. Must the team still play down in the second half?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Jim, a team must have a keeper under Law 3. So, if you sent off the keeper, we need a new one. Usually that means we take off a regular player and sub in a new keeper, or a player on the field may assume the duties of keeper. You cannot take the restart until a new keeper is on the field or designated as the keeper. As for the second question, once a player is sent off, no matter when, his team plays down for the rest of the game. You might want to get out your Laws of the Game and do some review?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Under USYSA substitution rules, before the return to any stoppage of recent times, a sending-off by itself was not a substitution opportunity! Some states have adopted substitutions at any stoppage change so an outfield player may be replaced with the new goalkeeper. If you referee in a state that has not adopted the latest USYSA policy the new goalkeeper must be an outfield player until the next substitution opportunity. As referee you may not restart play until a new goalkeeper is in place and dressed as Law 4 requires.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You have GOT to have a Keeper per Law 3. If the stoppage is for a foul in youth soccer, no sub it has to be a player on the field. If for a caution and a sudsequent send off, a sub is usually allowed