Dear Marge Confusion arose during the last match I umpired. Having given a short corner and blowing time, I of course allowed the short corner to proceed. Whilst waiting for the players of the defending side to retreat to the half way line, I noticed that the keeper at the other end had removed her helmet and left the field of play. I asked her to replace her helmet and return to the pitch. The keeper questioned my decision, saying that because she was not allowed into the opponents half and that once the short corner was over it would be half time it made no difference. However she returned to the pitch with helmet on and the half ended when the short corner was over. Was I right? ‘Keepers are scary people’
Dear ‘Keepers are scary people’ Yes you were right although I do have sympathy with the keeper’s viewpoint. The rulebook quite categorically states that there will be a person on each team at all times wearing full head protection and that this person shall not enter the opponent’s half. Therefore, even though in this case the keeper could not have become involved, it is necessary for her to be on the pitch with her helmet on. |
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