Question Number: 25450

Law 5 - The Referee 9/18/2011

RE: rec Under 18

Robert White of La Honda, Ca USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25395

I would like to clarify the concept of advantage and latent awarding of a red/yellow card. Conceptually I'm balancing the benefit of continuing play for the team that's been fouled versus stopping play and awarding a IFK/DFK/PK.

I couldn't find anything in the laws of the game 2010/2011, or in Advice to Referees on the laws of the game (USSF publication) that specifically addresses issuing/not issuing a red/yellow after a goal.

While it is certainly fair to allow that goal and then dispense the card, is it actually written anywhere or are we as referees performing the action in the spirit of the game. Or, are we allowed to do it, since the laws don't say we can't. I'm OK with that, but it's nice to be able to refer a dissenting coach/player back to a reference source.

From their point of view, on the field of play we give the play 2-3 seconds, whistle the foul and bring the restart back to the point of foul. This means that the subsequent play effectively didn't happen. In the original question, you now have a goal to consider. Ignoring the hand ball (or other later foul) in the original question, it means we are applying a different standard by allowing subsequent action to count.

I'm curious how you reconcile this to the players/coach or if you can give me a source to send them to.

Thanks and I really appreciate your time and efforts to help make us all better refs.

Bob

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Robert
Page 68 of the current Laws of the Game referring to advantage states and I quote
'' If the offence warrants a caution, it must be issued at the next stoppage.
However, unless there is a clear advantage, it is recommended that the referee
stops play and cautions the player immediately. If the caution is NOT issued at
the next stoppage, it cannot be shown later.''
When a goal is scored the ball is then out of play and that is the next stoppage and the player can be cautioned before the kick off.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

In the question you reference, the referee allowed a goal when clearly he should not have. The player punched the ball into the net with his fist. To sell the call the referee told the coach he did not believe the player deliberately handled the ball but that the ball bounced off his hand into the goal. If that was actually happened all is well.

If you see a foul inside the penalty area you should always hold your whistle for few seconds to see what happens. A goal is the most advantageous thing in soccer so you never want to have to pull the ball out of the net and award a penalty kick.

As far as issuing cards after a goal both the LOTG and Advice clearly state you may issue a caution at the next stoppage. A goal is the next stoppage.