Question Number: 25912

Law 3 - Number of Players 1/23/2012

RE: Competive Adult

Michal of Trenton, NJ USA asks...

There is a situation when a team scored a goal but a few seconds later you noticed that the coach of that team that scored the goal was inside the field of play. As far as I know we disallow the goal (Law 3, page 64), but what will be the restart and from where?

IFK from the point of infringement or maybe a goal kick cause you noticed that after the goal was scored?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1. Let's back up a minute. Where was the coach, and what was the intrusion. If the coach is at the halfway line and had one foot onto the field, it may be that the coach's presence on the field had no impact whatsoever on the scoring of the goal. If so, the proper thing may be to do NOTHING. It is a trifling infringement that can be ignored. (It is far better IMO to be proactive about coaches taking a step onto the field. Warning early can avoid the problem.)

OTOH, if the coach has entered the field (say from behind the opposing goal) and affected play, Law 3 provides for the goal to be disallowed. The further the coach is away from the technical area, the more likely the referee will judge that the coach affected play.

2. In the US, the interpretation is that if the referee stops play because of an infringement of Law 3, then the restart is an indirect free kick. Since play was not stopped, the restart is based on why the ball left play. In this case, the ball crossed the goal line, last touched by an attacker, but was not a goal - - so, the restart is a goal kick. See 11-9-2010 USSF Position Paper 'Extra Players.'

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michal
The first question the referee has to consider is whether the coach was on the field of play at the time the goal was scored and the second question is whether his presence had a material effect on play. The answers to those questions will determine whether the referee will take action or not. If the matter is trifling and in the context of the question the fact that the coach is only noticed after the goal is scored then it is unlikely to have an impact then the goal IMO should be allowed.
If the coach has impacted on play then play should be stopped and the restart is a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped. If the referee fails to stop play and the goal has been scored then the goal is disallowed and the restart in the US is a goal kick.
Elsewhere the restart would be a dropped ball in the goal area in the case of a team official and an IDFK inside the goal area if it is a player or substitute.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

A goal is scored but you don't notice the coach on the field until after the goal is scored. The first thing you have to decide is when the coach entered the field. If you are unsure the goal stands.

The Interpretations section of the LOTG do not require the coach to do anything to influence the game in order for you to call off the goal. In reality, if the coach has just stepped on the field and done nothing to influence the game, most of us are going to ignore him and let the goal stand