Question Number: 16599

Law 9 - The Ball in and out of Play 9/8/2007

RE: Rec Under 14

T of Denver, Colorado USA asks...

Keeper stops a shot at the end line and stumbles backward with ball in hand, one foot crosses the end line but the ball remains in the field of play. Referee called a corner kick for the opposing team.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the ball doesn't go completely across the line, it is still in play. It doesn't matter where the player's body parts are. Play would not be stopped in that case.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Law 9 - The Ball In and Out of Play tells us the ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air or play has been stopped by the referee. In the case you ask about the ball has done neither. Play continues.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

My colleagues are absolutely correct. I would only like to add that you need to find out who assigns this referee and tell them what you told us. If the referee doesn't hear what he did was wrong from his assignor/assessor/instructor fellows, he likely will not believe he made an error or worse, know to not do it again. This fact about the ball being in play as long as some part of it is still within the plane of the field is very plain in the Laws of the Game, if one only took the time to read them.