True Story about Fan Interference--What Would You Do?

[gorilla]

During a college soccer game, a forward settled the ball, rounded the keeper, and passed the ball towards the net. The ball was clearly going in, and no defender had a chance to clear it--they were all 10+ yards away from the ball. At the same time, a fan who had been walking along the end walked in front of the goal. Thankfully, the fan did not touch the ball and the goal counted. Though the fan had no effect on the play, he did spark an interesting discussion:

If the fan had touched the ball and cleared it off the line, what would you, as a ref, do? The consensus from a discussion about non-refs was that it would have to be a drop ball on the six. We also agreed that the opposing coach (in this case the coach of the home team) should let the attacking team score unopposed after his fan cleared the ball.

What do you refs think? What is the appropriate call? Did the ref make the right call in letting the goal stand even if the fan didn't touch the ball? Coaches, what would you do?

[Ref Flunkie]

During a college soccer game, a forward settled the ball, rounded the keeper, and passed the ball towards the net. The ball was clearly going in, and no defender had a chance to clear it--they were all 10+ yards away from the ball. At the same time, a fan who had been walking along the end walked in front of the goal. Thankfully, the fan did not touch the ball and the goal counted. Though the fan had no effect on the play, he did spark an interesting discussion:

If the fan had touched the ball and cleared it off the line, what would you, as a ref, do? The consensus from a discussion about non-refs was that it would have to be a drop ball on the six. We also agreed that the opposing coach (in this case the coach of the home team) should let the attacking team score unopposed after his fan cleared the ball.

What do you refs think? What is the appropriate call? Did the ref make the right call in letting the goal stand even if the fan didn't touch the ball? Coaches, what would you do?


IMO, yes referee was correct. The fan had no effect on the play. Had he effected a player or the ball, then yes, I would say outside interference.

As for if he had cleared it....all you, as a referee, could really do (if it was obviously not in the net) is do a drop ball. However, you really can't tell the coach to let the other team score, that is up to him.

[PirateJohn]

Yeah, it stinks but you'd have to restart with a dropped ball. And I'm not sure how the fans were situated since you mentioned it was a college game, but if there was any security on the field, I'd direct them to eject the fan.

But the opposing team should allow the other team a clear shot on goal as a compensation. But you as a referee cannot make them do that. You can only give a detailed description of what happened on your post game report.

[Statesman]

I'd just tell the fan he's not allowed on the pitch while clothed.

[blech]

I'd just tell the fan he's not allowed on the pitch while clothed.

Although you added the word "he", there was no information provided about the gender of the fan. This definitely seems like one of those "you had to be there" calls. Personally, I'd want to see the fan in question before giving this kind of directive :)

[Wreave]

Though the fan had no effect on the play, he did spark an interesting discussion

Looks like Statesman got it right...

On the topic, take the other side. Is there any way to argue that the fan interfered with the play? Touch the ball, distract the defense, etc.? I don't see any reasonable argument for interference. So, let the goal stand.

If the fan DID prevent the ball from entering the goal, then the one-sided drop ball on the 6 would be the sporting thing to do.

If the other team refused to do the one-sided drop, well, I admit it would be awfully hard for me not to notice some defensive pushing in the PA. That's an awfully grey area, though.

And of course, the fan would have to be dealt with...