Question Number: 23620

Law 3 - Number of Players 7/5/2010

RE: house league Under 15

Roger Rotilio of aurora, ON canada asks...

1.
can a goalie be substituted any time during a game or only at half time?

2.

when can a player's switch be made? and made not?

Thanks.

Roger
house league coach

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

A keeper may be substituted at any time other substitutions may be made during a game. In a house league, that will depend on your local rules regarding when substitutions can be made. If the game was played strictly under FIFA rules, substitutions can only take place at a stoppage in the game, and only if the sub is up and ready to go. Teams are not allowed more than 7 substitutes and once substituted out, a substituted player may not go back in unless the house league is using modified youth play rules.

A keeper may change places with a player on the field at any stoppage after informing the referee. If the switch is made without the informing the referee, both players will be cautioned at the next stoppage.

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Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Roger
Unless there is a competition rule to say otherwise a player may be substituted at any time during the game provided the team has not used up all its quota of allowed substitution which is set by the competition rule.
If a team wishes to switch a player on the field of play with the goalkeeper it is done at a stoppage in play and the referee is informed. Play will be held up by the referee while the jerseys/gloves are changed and time can be added on for the stoppage.

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