Question:
If a goalkeeper is deaf and cannot hear the whistle, how does the referee let him know he has made a call?
Answer (September 4, 2007):
There is no current standard procedure for working with deaf players, but one mechanic that works is to have all the players raise their hands when the referee blows the whistle. We will look into making this or some other procedure part of the Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game for 2008. For the moment, the referee on a game with deaf players should come to some arrangement with the team captains and the other game officials.
Suggestions from readers welcome. No history lessons, please. We know them already.
