Question Number: 21452

Law 5 - The Referee 6/1/2009

RE: Rec, USSF U-19, Illinois High Schools High School

Thomas Evins of Naperville, Illinois USA asks...

I'm hoping you can help me with an NFHS rule question, (which is an organization that supports and maintains rule books for many High School sports, used in more than 30 states).
During a Varsity match, I gave advantage for a penal foul that I intended to go back and caution at the next stoppage. My advantage call resulted in a goal for fouled team (which always feels gratifying), and I then issued the caution before the subsequent kickoff. The coach of the team just scored upon argued that the goal nullified any caution. According to FIFA rules, that argument is just silly. Our duties under Law V specify just when we may issue cards for an act not punished at the time. HOWEVER, there is no corresponding sentence in the NFHS book, under Rule Five, or anyplace else I can find. So are there any US High School rule experts out there, who can tell me where the book defines 'advantage' and the limits of when a caution or ejection may be issued? HS refs have to justify their actions too.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

According to NFHS, Rule 5.3.2.g, the referee shall have the power to make decisions on any point not specifically covered in the rules.

That means if you, the referee, felt the misconduct merited a card and you give it before the next restart occurs, you may do so under the authority vested in you by the NFHS Rules.