Question Number: 22043

Law 10 - Method of Scoring 9/21/2009

RE: Other

William Ocampo of Houston, Texas USA asks...

The center does don't have the proper view on a shot outside the penalty and can not tell if the ball has crossed the goal line and into the goal. The referee has not consulted with the AR and after the ball is punted (about 10 seconds later) the referee notices the AR with his flag raised. The AR informs the referee that the ball had crossed the goal line and into the goal.

Since the referee has decided to let go on, what is the call? Does play go on because he didn't call at the time or does he call it a goal?

Also, what's is the AR duties? I say he raises his flags then sprints approx 20 yards upfield to advice the ref of a goal.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the ball is in and out of the goal, the AR should stand at attention with the flag raised until the referee stops play. Then he should make his run toward the half line. This should inform the ref that the goal was scored.

If the ref doesn't acknowledge the AR's signal in a short period of time, the AR should do everything in his power to get the ref's attention, including calling out his name. The AR on the opposite sideline should also raise his flag to mirror the signal.

The referee has up until the next restart to correct a decision (in this case a decision to not stop play and award the goal), upon the advice of an assistant referee or 4th official.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi William
The correct decision is for the referee to award a goal. The AR must not allow play to continue and he should do all in his power to attract the attention of the ref. Also if play has stopped since the goal and restarted then the goal is not awarded but the ref should inform the authorities of the incident.
I believe that in these 'hairline' goal scenarios that there will be strong chance that the referee's attention will be drawn to the assistant referee's flag.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The proper AR mechanics are to stand with flag raised and when the referee sees him to then sprint up the touchline towards the center line signifying that a goal has been scored. Whatever happens this is a time where the AR MUST insist rather than assist if the referee does not see him. The AR cannot allow play to stop and be restarted. He must do whatever he has to even if it means running onto the field calling to the referee to make sure play doesn't stop and restart. The referee is always free to change a decision as long as play has not stopped and restarted