Question Number: 23696

Law 5 - The Referee 7/24/2010

RE: Competitive Adult

Jim Menter of Haverhill, MA USA asks...

My friend saw a game where advantage was called in the attacking half. Almost right after it was signaled the player shot the ball and missed the goal. The referee then brought the ball back to the spot of the foul and gave the attacking team a direct kick. I think the advantage ended when the shot was taken. Who is right?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Menter
Always a difficult question. IMO if the player got the shot off after the foul and the foul had no bearing on the subsequent play then the advantage has been realised. If however the advantage does not accrue due to the effect of the foul such as the ball getting slightly out of reach or the player does not fully regain his balance etc then the referee is entitled to bring it back to the original foul. All that must be done within 2/3 seconds as after that it cannot be brought back.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It depends. Advantage is not always realized because a shot is taken and missed. The referee can decide whether the foul affected in any way the shot such that the advantage was not realized in the two to three seconds the referee has to revoke it. The laws intend that the victim receive two bites at the apple, if the first was affected by the foul.