Question Number: 24206

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 10/20/2010

RE: School Under 12

Rich Smith of Redruth, Cornwall United Kingdom asks...

I refereed a game today and a shot from an 11-year-old hit the post and the goal partially collapsed.

The subsequent rebound was put into the goal. Was I right to disallow the goal and restart with a drop ball?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Yes, assuming the goal could be made safe again after the partial collapse. FIFA has been very clear that if the goals are not anchored (or by the same measure, if they are dangerous to the players) the game cannot be continued.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The goal partially collapsed? Most probably it wasn't constructed properly then - maybe some key connections were missing or loose. I hope you made sure it was solid before continuing.

Since a partially collapsed goal most likely wasn't the proper size for play, you were correct to stop play and disallow the goal. The restart would be a dropped ball, because a collapsing goal certainly isn't one of the reasons for stoppage enumerated in the Laws of the Game.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rich
Yes your decision was correct in Law and the restart is a dropped ball.
My greater concern is the collapse of the goals. Football authorities throughout the world have been mindful of the serious issue of goalpost safety. there has been a number of fatalities as a result of frames hitting players and one of the key duties of a referee before kick off is to ensure the goalposts are safe for play