Goal Nets and the Laws of the Game

FIFA's Laws of the Game runs to some 142 pages.

Of those 142 pages, only 26 words are are allocated to goal nets.

Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that they are properly supported and do not interfere with the goalkeeper. 

That the nets have to be "properly supported" has seen the evolution of the various support systems. 

That the nets must not "interfere with the goalkeeper" shouldn't exclude any club or stadium manager installing the support system of their choice.

So why does nearly every stadium in first class football have box nets? Because FIFA have deemed any other support system unsafe.

In their Stadium Book, under 'Dangers and Obstructions' FIFA adds 31 words more to the rules on goal nets.

Goal nets should not be suspended by any metal frame or "elbow" but should be suspended by the method illustrated as this does not constitute a danger to the players. 

The method illustrated?

UEFA Europa League Special - Luis Suarez free kick

Luis Suarez' second free kick against Zenit St Petersburg has rightly been singled out as a classic of it's kind.



But for all the brilliant Brazilian bendiness, what about the hockey-style rebound off the nets? On reflection, doesn't the goal look like kicking a ball against a wall in  training?

Suarez's effort deserves much better.

How much better might this goal have looked if the nets weren't made of trampoline, weren't yanked back to full tautness and there was no ground support spoiling the aesthetics?

What if the net actually retained the ball?

Might it look like this?


The ball goes dead.

The keeper stays beaten.

Everyone watching can pause in the moment to reflect that they've just witnessed - and while the ball remains motionless in the net they are still witnessing - a great goal.

Brazil 2014 - SER Caxias Do Sul

You'll have seen the crazy goalmouth scramble at the recent Caxias v Internacional match...



What was most interesting for us Brazilian goal nets fanatics were the classic L-supports at either end of the Estádio Centenário.

Check out the two goals in the game - and the fabulous nets - below.