Question Number: 26190

Law 3 - Number of Players 4/16/2012

RE: Competitve Under 18

Michael Green of Scarsdale, NY USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15094

Team A had a player sent off in the first half with a Red Card and was playing one man down. During the second half, an 11th player for Team A entered the field (with permission of the ref. who must have lost track of how many players were on the field.) During this short period of time, Team A scored a goal. What should the ruling be?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
A very serious error by the referee. If play has not restarted then the goal should be disallowed and the restart in the US is a goal kick. Elsewhere an IDFK to the 'conceding' team is awarded inside the goal area.
If play has already restarted with a kick off then the goal must stand, the referee corrects the error of the extra player by seeing that he leaves the field of play and the matter is reported to the competition authority. If the referee has to stop play to deal with the extra player the restart is an IDFK from where the ball was when play was stopped. Otherwise if play has already stopped the normal restart applies that is a throw in, goal kick, corner kick, etc.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

In addition to Ref McHugh's response, since the referee allowed the incorrect number of players, there is no misconduct. If an 11th player had snuck on without the ref's knowledge, that player would be cautioned when found out.