Question Number: 23729

Law 3 - Number of Players 8/2/2010

RE: Other

joe of clifton, usa asks...

If a pk is awarded during the game, is the defending team allowed to swap their keeper for that pk.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joe
Yes the goalkeeper can be swapped at any stoppage in play including a penalty kick with an outfield player. The GK can also be substituted at any time if the team has not used all its quota of substitutes including Kicks from the Penalty Mark. That KFTPM concession for goalkeeper substitution does not apply to outfield players.
Some Underage League may make restriction on when substitutions can be made by way of a competition rule.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Some competitions restrict when substitutions can be made, such as at goal kicks, kickoffs, throw-ins, etc. In that case you'd have to see whether the rules of the competition allow a substitute goalkeeper to come in off the bench at the penalty kick stoppage.

But if you are swapping positions of two players already on the field, it is not a substitution. Another player may change position with the goalkeeper at any stoppage, provided the referee has been informed of the change. I have never seen any competition rules that restrict this swap.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This depends on what you mean by 'swap' in some locations. Most youth soccer leagues do NOT allow a substitution at a penalty kick (the Laws Of The Game do). But if by 'swap' you mean to have a player on the field switch positions with the keeper, that's allowed everywhere I know.