Question Number: 23329

Law 5 - The Referee 5/18/2010

RE: Competitive Under 11

Doug of Cincinnati, Ohio U.S. asks...

In this instance the game situation has been shared with me by a coach. His player, possessing the ball with back to the goal and inside the penalty area, is challenged from behind and has his legs taken out from under him. Another member of the attacking team immediately gains possession of the ball inside the penalty area but has 2 or 3 defenders between him and the goal. Referee gives advantage because attacking team maintained possession of the ball (his explanation to the coach at the conclusion of play).

Coach felt that the 'advantage' was the opportunity for a penalty kick. I would agree. Your thoughts?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Advantage doesn't just mean retaining possession of the ball. Law 5 says the referee, 'allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalises the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time.' Notice that word 'benefit'. Oftentimes retaining possession of the ball is a benefit. But sometimes there are better benefits, such as the penalty kick in your situation.

I suspect the referee was reluctant to award the penalty, and used advantage as an excuse not to. I confess I've done that, but in a situation where the game really didn't need a penalty kick. The team that would have gotten the kick was ahead by something like 5-0, and there was only a few minutes left. Correct? Not in Law. But Right? You decide.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Doug
In the vast majority of cases the award of the penalty is the best 'advantage' that a team can get. Its a free kick at goal from 12 yards with only the goalkeeper to beat. From what you describe there is no advantage here and the best decision is a penalty. Possession of the ball is only one minor element of advantage and there are other factors such as position, number of defenders etc.
I would only go with advantage on a penalty call if there was an obvious goal scoring opportunity presented immediately with a good chance that a goal could be scored.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Most seasoned referees will tell you to generally avoid giving advantage inside the penalty area and USSF tells us never to give the advantage signal inside the penalty area.

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