Question Number: 22292

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 10/19/2009

RE: 8 Under 12

Richard Spencer of Folsom, CA USA asks...

The goalie controls the ball in the regular course of play and is injured. The goal is replaced by another player. Is the correct restart a dropped ball, and where should the drop ball take place?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Assuming play is stopped for the injury to the keeper, yes, the restart is a dropped ball. The drop will be where the ball was when the whistle was blown, subject to the procedure when a ball is within the goal area.

In such instances, the prudent thing to do is for the referee to drop the ball back to the keeper (new or old) and allow the keeper to then distribute the ball. Dropped balls do not require any particular number of players to be present, and since the keeper was in possession when the play was stopped, it is the fair and right thing to do.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

That depends on why play was stopped. If stopped for an injury, the restart is where the ball was when play was stopped subject to the procedure found in Law 8 if the ball was inside the goal area when play was stopped. Since this was the keeper, he may be treated on the field and does not have to leave the game if he and the coach/trainer believe he can continue play.

If the keeper was fouled and that caused the injury, play is stopped for the foul and the restart is whatever is proper for the foul that was called, and takes place at the point of the foul, subject to the placement of the ball rule found in Law 13

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Richard
Correct restart for an injury stoppage by the referee is a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped. In the case of the goalkeeper it is from where the goalkeeper was holding/lying on the ball. If it was on the goal line the DB is on the 6 yard line opposite the spot. Teams generally don't contest these stoppages so they allow the keeper to pick up the DB. If they want to contest it so be it but its not in the spirit of fair play.