Question Number: 13095

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 6/19/2006

RE: REC Adult

PAUL of TORONTO, ON CANADA asks...

THE GOAL KEEPER STOPPED THE BALL WITH HIS HANDS WHILE HE WAS INSIDE THE GOAL LINE,IS THAT CONSIDERED A GOAL?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The whole of the ball must cross the whole of the goal line under the cross bar and between the posts for a goal to be scored. Law 10 also requires no infringement of the Laws of the Game by the team scoring the goal. One other thing is needed some member of the referee crew must see the ball across the goal line in REAL TIME, not replay time...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I don't know what you mean. Is he off the field of play inside the net? If so, why is he there? The keeper may during the normal course of play leave the field of play. If he stopped the ball from crossing the goal then no way could it be a goal. If he was illegally off the field of play he would be punished for misconduct but you cannot award a goal unless the ball crosses the all of the goal line in accordance with Law 10. this is like asking if the ball is about to go into the net and a fan stops it do you award a goal? The answer is no you don't. You restart with a dropped ball but never can award a goal based on what you THINK would have happened.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I will assume you mean the keeper is inside the netted area of the actual goal in behind the goalline? Where the position of the keeper is could easily occur in dynamic play and is not illegal. The keeper is allowed the use of his hands inside his PA. The ball must be inside the PA for this to occur. The goal line is 5 inches wide and the ball is about 12 inches. As long as part of the ball manages to break the plane of the back edge of that goaline that ball is IN play and no goal is yet scored. THe keeper hands on the ball at this point are keeping the ball out of the goal EVEN though it may appear most of the ball is in behind the posts . ALL Of the ball must be seen completely past the 5 inch line either in the air or on the ground. Remember the ball is curved so that rounded portion will still be considered breaking the 5 inch plane even if the ball itself is not actually able to touch the goalline if it was on the ground.

ONCE ALL Of the ball has crossed over no matter where the keeper 's hands are a goal is scored provided there were no other infringements and the officiating crew was properly positioned to see it as so! In real time a quick bang in bang out ball that could have been in or only very close will always have a no goal decision if the officials are unsure! Thems the breaks1 Cheers