Question Number: 4064

Law 3 - Number of Players

RE: College

Guy Fisher of Mishawaka, IN USA asks...

If a goalkeeper is injured and time is stopped, must he leave the field and then re-enter after the game has been restarted? My understanding is that the keeper is allowed to stay if not seriously injured, or if he does need additional treatment he is to be substituted by another bench player or the team may designate a field player and play a man short (Law 3). We were forced to play without a keeper (he was shaken up), the ball went out for a goal kick, the official made him leave the field, made us restart the match with a kick, and then allowed the keeper back onto the field. Fortunately the other team did not attempt to score even though they won the ball (great sportsmanship and an understanding of the injury rule) but had they scored could the decision be protested?

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi Guy, .the referee should read the directives a bit closer the keeper is exempt from this and is the only member on the team who CAN be treated on the FOP and REMAIN there provided of course he can continue and the delay is not for too long otherwise a substitute keeper must take his place a game can not continue without a keeper on the FOP. ..Whether you could protest?, this up to your team. Anything can be protested as to whether it would be upheld is a matter for your league to decide...Congratulations to the opposing team for not taking advantage of a referee error on such a situation it is good the concept of fairplay unwritten though it may be is alive and well. Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Yo Guy! Obviously the referee was not familiar with FIFA?s Additional Instructions Regarding the Laws of the Game. They may be found at the FIFA web site following the Questions & Answers. Those instructions speak of procedures to be followed in the event of an injury. After quite a lengthy discussion the following exceptions appear:..Injury to a goalkeeper ..When a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need immediate attention ..When a severe injury has occurred e.g. swallowed tongue, concussion, broken leg etc. ..In these instances the injury is treated on the field. There is no immediate requirement to remove the injured player(s). If the treatment on the field is sufficient then the goalkeeper may carry on. ..As example, a goalkeeper found his head in the way of an opponent?s studs, quite by accident. He was bleeding profusely and was treated on the field. Total time of treatment was nearly three minutes, and he was returned to service. The time lost was added to the match and play was restarted with a corner kick. EUFA Cup Match, Madrid v. Balogna, Collinga referee...If the referee started play without a goalkeeper in the field, he is remiss. This is a violation of Law 3 and referees are not supposed to violate the Laws of the Game...Regards,

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

See Question: 22585