NUMBER OF SO-CALLED EXPERTS ON THE RISE
Lately I get the feeling that everybody else knows my job better than I do. Each time I switch on the radio or television some pundit or other is giving their ‘expert’ views on decisions that one of the match officials has had to make.
I know this is nothing new but the amount of so-called experts on the laws of the game seem to be multiplying season after season. I appreciate that people will have an opinion but sometimes that opinion is portrayed as fact, which misleads the public.
Through this column I have been asked a number of questions primarily around the laws of the game and their interpretations, one that was asked by ‘a Veteran cobblers supporter’, was:
As I understand it, the whole of the ball has to be OVER the line. Most pundits seem to think if most of it or the bit that touches the ground is over then it’s a goal or out of play. Surely this is wrong, but again what is the law and how is it interpreted please?
Well to find the answer it’s always good to start with the law. Law 9 states; The ball is out of play when, it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line on the ground or in the air.
The key point is the word Wholly. I have had many arguments with players when they see the ball on the line or partly over it, contesting that it is out. It’s similar to a player when taking a throw-in, many people believe that if his feet are not completely behind the line then it is a foul throw, not so!
A throw-in is good even if the player has his foot almost completely over the line, provided he has a part of his heel on the line it is not a foul throw as his feet need to be wholly over the line.
So veteran Cobblers’ supporter you are correct in your assumption – ever thought of helping the ‘experts’ out?!
Talking of experts, I will again be running their gauntlet this weekend.
My game on Saturday sees me take charge of the live lunchtime kick-off, Fulham v Man Utd.
Hopefully my application of law will be spot on and the experts will have plenty of talking points other than my decisions.
