Keepy Ups

ESPNsoccernet - England - Roberts: Balloon or Baffoon?

Let me make it clear, as a neutral I fully enjoyed Sheffield United's giant-killing act as I called the game on ESPN, but at the risk of being considered officious: rules are rules! The big blue book clearly states that if the ball touches an 'outside agent' while in play, the referee must immediately stop play and re-start the game with a dropped ball where the contact was made.

Tough luck if the FA Cup Final last minute winner strikes a dog on the goal line on its way to the back of the net, the ref has to disallow the goal and award a dropped ball on the edge of the 6 yard box, though I'd not like to have to call that one.

FIFA qualify an 'outside agent' in the 2007/08 Laws of the Game publication as, 'Anyone not indicated on the team list as a player, substitute or team official.' Match officials, corner flags and goal posts are also thrown into the list of exclusions, but no mention of balloons.

Just wanted to quote this because other than the above I haven't seen any mention of the fact that it was more than an amusing goal, but a dubious one.

Man City have written the FA about the fact that the balloons haven't been cleared off the pitch by the referee, but shouldn't they have written the fact that the goal should have been disallowed as well? Does anyone know why that wasn't mentioned as well?