Question Number: 24269

Law 5 - The Referee 11/2/2010

RE: 7 Under 15

stephen collins of Skelmersdale, GB asks...

Hi , I had a situation regarding the advantage rule last sunday, Player A was running down the flank , got tripped but went past the defender, stayed on his feet , crossed the ball to a team mate in the penalty area who was clearly offside . I called play back and awarded the free kick as i felt no advantage was gained for player A as his teamate was offside meaning me blowing for offside against them. am i right to do this? what do you think?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You have to determine whether any advantageous situation existed or not. If player A had options other than passing the ball to a teammate in an offside position, then advantage had been realized, but he squandered it by making a bad decision. Usually a player who retains possession has options - he could have kept the ball himself for one.

Sometimes the advantage does not materialize because the supposedly advantageous situation only involved an offside-positioned player. Perhaps the referee didn't even know the player was in an offside position until the assistant put the flag up for offside. Then it would be appropriate to go back to the free kick for the foul.

So it's another one of those famous answers: It all depends ...

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Stephen
From what you have written I would agree that it was the correct decision. As Referee Voshol suggest however it can depend on other factors. If the attacker who received the ball moved into that position after the foul and that the fouled player had carried the ball on for a number of seconds and then made the wrong choice, one can argue that advantage has been realised and play should continue. In a match situation if the original offence is not called through the playing of advantage and the referee then awards an IDFK for offside before the 2/3 seconds has elapsed after the foul it will attract howls of 'where is the advantage there ref' and the team will feel aggrieved.
There is a skill in playing advantage and quickly evaluating if indeed there is a clear advantage is key. At lower skill levels many times the award of the free kick is the 'best' advantage.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I likewise think your decision was the correct one based on your description