Question Number: 19463

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 6/20/2008

RE: Competative Adult

Glen Doyle of WInchester, MA USA asks...

The referee positions himself for a corner kick - 12 yards from goal just a few yards to the side of the goal. the corner comes in near to the penalty spot, a shot is fired, it hits the cross bar, bounces down and out into the field of play (think 66 world cup England v Germany). There are no linemen; there is no line in the goal - just a foot wide dirt path. The referee sees the ball hit the crossbar and come straight down but halfway down his view is blocked by two players and he does not see where it hits the ground. The attacking players scream goal as the ball bounces back into play. Defenders of course all cry no goal. What do you call?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

First of all, the referee should have asked that a goal line be painted as the field did not meet the standard specified in law 1. There is an especially good reason to have a goal line between the posts.

The answer to your question is easy. The referee calls what he sees, if the ball had met the requirements of Law 10 (ball entirely past the goal line, under the crossbar, and in between the two goal posts) then he awards a goal. If he does not see all of that happen he must allow play to continue.

Your description leads me to think that play would continue in this case.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the ball hit the crossbar and went straight down, it did not completely cross the goal line. No goal.

I agree with Ref Montanino - call what you see.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You can only call what you see. The referee did NOT see a goal therefore he cannot award one.