Message Board

Mid-Ohio Select Soccer League

MESSAGE:

Morbid curiousity, I guess, but days later, I still have to ask this question. After a team scores a goal, is a referee "required" to blow his/her whistle, use hand signals or in some way recognize or signal a goal?

I know this is an awkward question, but for first time ever, I actually witnessed a center ref not signal or recognize a goal, each time one was scored, at least for us. This was a U11 game, where goal lines were not evident/visible and not every goal hit the back of the net making it obvious. Even when it was immediately obvious and no question of an AR call, there was not a signal, gesture, whistle, cough, sneeze etc. The ref casually reached into their pocket, pulled out their pencil and card and marked it up, without even eye contact or acknowledgment to either team. (all 4x and almost begrudgingly...)

Granted, this center does not like my club, as they shared that info with me 3 years ago after a U14 game, but come on...

Responses

soccer1969 On 10/26/2009 11:22:08 AM
Did that response actually say that I should be looking for the AR to "sprint" somewhere to signify a goal?

I guess that means that our team has not scored a goal all season.

PS - Were you wondering if a goal was actually scored, or wondering if the center ref was just showing his distaste for your club by not "recognizing" the scored goal? Generally, the reaction of the players on the field is the best indicator if the ball is across the line.

CoachnRef On 10/23/2009 7:09:19 PM
The referee is NOT to blow his or her whistle to signify a goal UNLESS there is doubt as to whether the ball completely pass the goal line into the goal. Many of us are also OHSAA/NFHS referees. In high school games, the clock is stopped when a goal is scored. Therefore, whistles are blown in high school games in order to signify that the clock is to be stopped (there is also a hand signal of arms crossed at the wrist over the referee's head).

Since many of our referees are either a high school referee, a high school player, or the parent of a high school player, FIFA/USSF/MOSSL referees frequently blow their whistle following the scoring of a goal in a MOSSL game.

Referees are merely supposed to point to the center spot since that is where the game will be restarted with a kickoff (similar to the fact that they point to the penalty spot for a penalty kick).

Personally, I would prefer that FIFA/USSF would reguire us to blow the whistle to signify a goal. Frequently, players are told to "play until you hear the whistle." In this case, the instructions we are given COULD create a bad situation. But, until then, look for the referee to point to midfield while the AR tucks his or her flag and sprints toward midfield.

The referee need not acknowledge either team. However, typically, they will be making eye contact with the AR on the attacking end (looking for the "tuck and sprint" action by the AR that confirms the goal). They will then record the score on the scorecard. The whistle is sounded when the center has confirmed with both ARs that they are ready to resume play (subs and ARs documenting the score would be reasons why the ARs may not be ready).

NET: No whistle required (nor desired by instruction) unless there is a question as to whether the goal was actually scored. But, you should be able to ascertain that the goal has been scored by looking at the actions of the AR and by seeing the center point to the middle of the field.