Question Number: 35896

Law 3 - The Players 3/22/2025

RE: Adult

Perter of Melbourne , NSW Australia asks...

Two questions, please:
Can a goalkeeper change roles with another field player just before a penalty kick is taken during normal time? (There is no injury to the goalkeeper.)

2) If a field player switches with a goalkeeper without the referee's permission and subsequently touches the ball, what caution/sanction should the referee apply?

The player touches the ball and results in a goal?

(goal stand and yellow card?)

The player touches the ball and saves or rebounds? (dogso and Red card?)

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Perter
On your first question the answer is yes. Any player can take on the goalkeeper duties including at a penalty kick or at any other stoppage. The referee is informed and the players exchange jerseys
On the second question the law states to allow play to continue to the next stoppage and then caution both players
If a goal has been scored then the goal should be awarded and the two players then cautioned.
In a situation where a referee stops plays to issue the cards the restart is an IDFK.
It would not be a DOGSO dismissal unless all the 4 conditions of a dismissal were present. So changing places would not in itself be a DOGSO

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Perter

The answer to your first question is yes. A goalkeeper and outfield player can change places at any stoppage in play, including just before a penalty is taken, so long as the referee is informed.

As to your second question Law 3 states as follows:

"If a player changes places with the goalkeeper without the referee’s permission, the referee:

- allows play to continue

- cautions both players when the ball is next out of play but not if the change occurred during half-time (including half-time of extra time) or the period between the end of the match and the start of extra time and/or penalties (penalty shoot-out)"

So a goal scored under these conditions would be allowed but the referee should caution both players after the goal is scored.

I cannot see anything in the law which would justify a player being dismissed for a DOGSO offence if they touch the ball after changing places with the goalkeeper without permission.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 35897