Question Number: 28180

Law 5 - The Referee 2/16/2014

RE: Under 19

Jason Jones of shropshire, england asks...

I was just wondering what would happen if a referee gave a foul and then after he blew his whilstle decided to change his mind. How would play be restarted and has this ever happened before?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Jason,

A few season ago in Futsal (the laws that are relevant to this question) I awarded an indirect free kick for the keeper handling the ball after a defender deliberately kicked it to him (defender and attacker both facing goals, I thought the defender stuck his toe in to knock it back to the keeper). The attacker advised me he was the one who got the touch.

Given that it was a fairly social grade it made it fairly easy to 'go with the players' and rescind my decision, thus awarding a drop ball.

I have had other situations where I've had doubt in my own mind after awarding a decision. I wouldn't reverse the decision unless in my mind I really had no choice.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jason
The referee is entitled to change his decision up until the point where he allows play to restart. His change of mind can be as a result of advice from an assistant referee or 4th official. If the referee say awarded a penalty kick and he then decided that it was not the correct decision the restart is a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped or if another decision has to be made such as a free kick to the defending team.
Here is an example of a referee overturning a penalty decision.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c6qbe1ojaM&t=2m35s
The restart was dropped ball.
Here is an example of a referee that awards a goal and then based on what the scorer says to him awards a free kick for deliberate handling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye3RA0ULXUQ
Other changes of mind are simple such as a goal kick instead of a corner, throw in direction.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 5 says, 'The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee or the fourth official, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match.'

If the referee decides to change the call, the restart may vary. If there was no foul and play should not have stopped, then the restart is a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped. But the assistant might indicate that the fouled player was offside; in that case the restart would be an indirect free kick for the offside. Or rarely, the referee may be informed that it was the OTHER player who committed the foul; then the restart is a free kick in the opposite direction to what was originally indicated.

In any event, the referee must make this a ceremonial restart and be sure everyone is aware of what is happening.