Question Number: 27538

Mechanics 6/20/2013

Dave of Cedar City, Utah USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26904

'In fact at the highest level the advice is to be always in line with the 2nd last opponent at the moment the ball is played / touched.'

I'll buy that, for sure.

'On the defending one the referee plays advantage...'

Silly me forgot about that! (smacks forehead)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
Just to be aware I know of some referees who suggest, not many I might add, that on an attacking free kick the AR could be positioned on the goal line to look for goal decisions and that the CR would take offside. That is not good advice but it is out there.
In this video Mike Mullarkey AR misses an offside decision because of poor positioning. Very well positioned on the goal line for a hairline goal call but poorly positioned for the key decision of offside as he does not adjust his movement to be in line with the 2nd last opponent.
http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/referees/video/videoid=1594012.html?autoplay=true
In referee crew marking this missed decision was a major loss os points which cost that crew further participation in the later stages of the competition.