The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #48622   Message #734587
Posted By: Blues=Life
21-Jun-02 - 11:10 PM
Thread Name: BS: Who will win the World Cup?
Subject: RE: BS: Who will win the World Cup?
Gnu, as a former player, and a current coach and ref, I've got to go with Mark on this one. The ref was completely right.

Item 1 - hand ball. No such law. The law refers to intentionally handling the ball. If your hand doesn't move to the ball, but rather, as in this case, the ball strikes your hand, there is no foul.

Item 2 - ball crosses the line. From the replays I saw, the ball was about 2 inches short of completely crossing the plane of the line. By the law, the line is part of both areas it delineates. Therefore, to be a goal, ALL of the ball must be COMPLETELY past the line into the goal. The assistant referee was right on the line (it looked like he was at the post, but I could be wrong) and I think he called it exactly right. I can't tell you how many times I have to explain to parents that the ball may not be touching the line, but is still over the line, and is therefore, not a goal. (Or out of touch on the side). Too many fans are used to American Football where touching the line means you are out of bounds, and that is not the case here.

A great game, and to paraphrase the Cubs, NEXT CUP!! Blues