Question Number: 25433

Law 5 - The Referee 9/15/2011

RE: level7 referee Under 17

chris mcaleer of corby northamptonshire, northants england asks...

Playin advantage.
Forward player running with ball towards opponants goal, gets tackled by defender outside of goal area but keeps control of ball.
Enters goal area with ball still in control, i let play continue &player hasclear shot on goal but keeper
saves shot.
I proceed by awarding direct freekick outside the box where first tackle took place.
Should i have pulled play back to first tackle or let play continue after keeper makes save.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the attacker has recovered from the foul and then the goalkeeper makes the save, advantage has been realized. Advantage doesn't mean that a goal must be scored. Sometimes the player has a great shot and just muffs it - you don't give him a second bite of the apple to compensate for his mistake.

However, if the attacker's shot was less than it could be because of the effects of the foul (say he was still stumbling, or the ball had gotten out in front of him because he was slowed by the foul) then you would be correct in saying that advantage had not materialized. In that case, you go back to the site of the foul for the free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Chris
From what you have described here advantage has been realised. The foul was committed and the player keeps control of the ball and he want to go on which you allowed by playing advantage. He then proceeds on with a clear shot on goal which is then saved. Advantage here has been clearly realised and play should not be brought back. In effect you have given the team two opportunities to score by awarding the DFK.
Two points
A goal does not have to be scored for advantage to be realised.
Once the player moves on and he regains his situation with advantage being played the referee has to then decide whether the original foul has now any bearing on play. If the player did not regain his balance or control was compromised by the foul which was never fully regained then within 2/3 seconds play can be brought back. That is not what is described here.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

A clear shot on goal is advantage realised. Continue play