Question Number: 20037

Law 5 - The Referee 9/22/2008

RE: High School

rob of woodbridge, canada asks...

during my match a pk was indicated by the CR (whistle blew, referee pointed to penalty mark,placed ball on mark) upon complaining by the opposing team 'ask your linesmen it wasn't a trip' the CR spoke with the AR and reversed his call and awarded a DFK to the opposing team. i was under the impression once that type of call was made it couldn't be changed but the official stated he could change the call because the restart had not occurred even though he placed the ball on the PK mark.

was he correct or covering up his error?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Why a Pk in favour of the attackers is changed into a DFK out in favour of the defenders, without actually seeing the events and talking to the referee/AR I can not truly say what transpired.

I can say this. Your impression is wrong

A referee CAN change his mind as long as play has not yet restarted

LAW 5 Decisions of the Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play,
including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match,
are final.
The referee may **only change a decision**on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee or the fourth official, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match.

I am sure those who felt the PK warranted feel bad and those who felt it was unjustified feel good. While it is messy and creates controversy any referee with integrity is more concerned with a correct decision than one that he lays claim to that was wrong just because he does not want to look bad or appear indecisive.

The AR has a duty to report to the referee what he saw, the referee has the final say whether to accept that input but ARs are neutral referees there to assist as another referee with 4 pairs of eyes looking not just two.

A brain cramp can occur and we point the wrong way or indicate a blue ball instead of red. A Pk is a serious event so something most unusual had to occur. I have seen one PK call reversed for a deliberate handling because the arm that punched the ball was an attacker's wrap around stuck up under the arm of the defender. AR had perfect view the referee saw the hand straight on. TV review caught it great and kudos' to the AR for spotting it. Perhaps even a foul before the PK rather than a mistake. If the AR says for example that out of eye contact with the referee an attacker pushed a defender before the other defender tripped an attacker the order of the fouls dictate the restart. The DFK out for the push turns the PK into only misconduct in which case a caution for USB could be considered
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee is correct. As long as the match has not restarted he may change his decision. I would say, the AR would have to have been emphatic that the referee was wrong. Perhaps the referee had his view partially obstructed and called the trip the wrong way.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The referee can change the decision provided play has not yet restarted and he may act on the advice of his neutral assistant referee.