Question Number: 20825

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/8/2009

RE: ayso, high school, select, club, adult +30, +40 Adult

greg tardaguila of torrance, ca usa asks...

During a high school girls varsity match using the 2-man ref system, the attacking player from just outside opponent's PA sends the ball into the PA toward the goal. At this point i am the trail ref. A defender handles the ball (with intent questionable in my mind at this point). The ball ends up at the feet of another attacker who shoots and scores from approximately 10-12 yards out. Does or can advantage apply here or should play be stopped for a PK? Does the time between the handling and the shot become a factor? The lead ref, obviously much closer to play, allowed the goal. I had no problem with the non-call. I keep running the scenario through ny mind chalking it up as a learning experience and future discussions with my fellow refs.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

If the handling was NOT deliberate then play continues as there is NO reason to stop play. If the handling was NOT deliberate and the ball falls advantageously to the foot of a team mate of the player whose arm/hand contacted the ball it is a fact of play and play continues. It is a lucky break it is not a foul just because it looks untidy or feels unfair! Remember a ball that rebounds off any body part is simply in the run of play, be it the head, chest, knee, or accidentally off the arm play simply continues! This has absolutely NOTHING to do with the concept of advantage which only applies in the opposing team's favour and only when there is an actual foul against them

If the handling was deliberate, then it is a DFK foul and ADVANTAGE can be applied as circumstances dictate. Certainly a ball that deflects to the foot of an opponent who subsequently scores is an excellent advantage!

A referee learns to eat or delay the whistle to wait and see possible outcomes before stopping play prematurely, *WHEN* there is an actual foul.

A slight delay in waiting a second to see what occurs and an ACTUAL signaling of yelling, " ADVANTAGE!",with the arm sweep then "PLAY ON!" ultimately serve the same purpose, to achieve a desired result without stopping play unnecessarily.

Cheers.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The referee was right to allow the goal. A goal is more rewarding than a penalty kick, which is only a chance to score a goal. Also, you said you couldn't determine intent, well I'm glad you couldn't because if you could then you would not be human. We can only determine if handling occurred with a deliberate action or not, you will never know the player's intent.

If there was handling, the advantage applies, assuming it was quickly established. If there was not handling, then it wouldn't matter, there would be no foul anyway.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

1. If the handling was not deliberate play should continue anyway.
2. It takes a certain amount of guts to give advantage inside the penalty area but it certainly applies to a situation like yours where the chance for a goal is almost immediate. This is a good example of why we are cautioned not to blow a quick whistle for fouls inside the penalty area