Question Number: 20200

Law 5 - The Referee 10/9/2008

RE: Adult Amatuer College

Mike of atlanta, ga us asks...

Is it not the right of the team who has a foul committed against it, to not play advantage. I.E. In my adult game another play and I are playing a give and go near the top of the penalty area. He returns the pass, but is obviously fouled hard from an opposing player. I could receive the ball back right inside the top of the box, but there are two defenders there and I am now alone. I stopped play, obviously waiting for the ref to call the foul and not assume advantage. In my opinion I have a greater chance of scoring on a set piece at that distance than I do taking on two defenders with a quick shot 16yds away. The ref refused to give us the foul! Of course I contested, I am only 24 but have been a ref over 10 years. I was always taught to let the teams action decide if you continue with advantage. Please help me out with this and if possible give me a reference from chicago or wherever I can take this ref. He will be doing at least 3 more of our games this season.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Advantage is a Referee's decision based on his perspective of the play. Players should play the whistle ALL of the TIME!!!!
Did the referee cry out, 'Advantage!' signal with the arm sweep and then say 'Play on'?
Was the referee with holding the whistle momentarily awaiting a possible outcome?
You had a chance for goal take it!
You can not be certain the foul was not going to be awarded until the referee saw an outcome in that 2 to 4 seconds. If you stop the referee is either forced to decided you had advantage but gave it away for no good reason or possibly recognize the fact the free kick foul is still there to choose from.
Just because a shot gets off or might get off is not the advantage realized until the referee is satisfied that it is. I can say that referees award advantage perhaps when they should not but as a decision it is what it is and as a referee yourself you should know better than to dissent the call.
My suggestion next three games he does play the whistle!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If you have been a referee for 10 years you should know 2 important things: 1. Play the whistle, 2. Whether or not there has been a foul or if advantage is to be applied is not up to you; it's up to the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You should know that the referee may not see the play the same way as you... don't give up until you hear the whistle or you run the risk of losing the ball to the other team.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

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