Question Number: 2663

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

RE: Travel Under 11

Brian Bartler of Elmhurst, IL USA asks...

Here is what happened today in a game as best I could see since the action took place at the far goal. An opposing player shot the ball and the goalie stopped the ball. It fell to the ground and the goalie had a hand on the ball or was very close to the ball (within inches). The player who shot the ball followed up and ran the goalie over .. literally. The goalie was on her back and the player following her shot landed on top of the goalie. Meanwhile the ball, bounced free and another opposing player kicked the ball in the goal. The ref said this was a goal. The goalie was injured on the play and did not return to the game....I'm fairly certain that this should have been interference and the goalie's team should have been awarded a free kick. Is this correct?..I have two follow-up questions. While we were attending to the goalie and being mad at the ref, we asked how this could be a goal. The ref said the momentum of the play caused the collision and therefore he allowed the goal. After considering our comments, the ref admitted that he probably did not make the correct call. Play had not restarted yet due to the injured goalie. Can the referee change his call at this point?..Also, if the momentum of the play caused the collision, should the player running into the goalie have received a card? If the player intentionally ran (as some of the goalie's teammates claim) into the goalie with elbows up should this be a red card?..Thank You!

Answer provided by Referee haselden

Law 12 (Decisions of the Board)is very clear that the keeper has possession if she is touching the ball with her hand or arm. If this was the case, we have dangerous play and perhaps a caution for the attacking player if the referee believed the ensuing collision to be reckless or using excessive force. Running over an opponent could fit the definition of reckless, etc. Players are taught to follow their shots and play hard to the ball and are as often as not awarded a goal in such situations...Can the referee change his mind? Yes, so long as play has not been restarted.

Answer provided by Referee Dawson 11/10/2001

Hi Brian,.. My colleague advice is spot on, each incident must be judged on its own merit. Both the attacker and the keeper in scrambling over a loose ball can indeed collide by accident as well as design. The referee must be in a good position to judge which. .Cheers