Reminder - Games shall NOT be played with insecure goals

(CASRA) Every year soccer players are injured and/or kill by falling goal posts. Recently a 14-year old was crushed to death in Montreal (see story) by an insecure goal. This is a completey avoidable accident, and it is our duty as referees to make sure that the field and equipment are safe through thorough insepction upon arrival to the field.

Gil Weber, co-author of the Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game, reminds us that the revised ATR, section 1.3 states that the game SHALL NOT BE PLAYED if the goals are not properly secured. It does not give the referee any latitude in this matter.

STYSA provides a checklist for inspecting goals:

• No open hooks used to attach nets
• No rusted or weak spots on any of the posts
• No ragged or sharp points or edges on any of the posts (including sharp points from zip ties!)
• For posts in the ground:
  • Posts are in good condition (no rust/weakness) above or below ground
  • Posts do not move when pressed or shaken
  • Posts are approximately vertical and are not leaning
• For posts NOT in the ground
  • Goal DOES NOT tip easily when weight is applied to the top ot to the horizontal bar
  • Goal DOES NOT tip or topple easily when the rear supporting part of the goal is raised

Here are some sobering statistics: Goal Safety Incidents