Question Number: 29900

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/8/2015

RE: Competitive Under 19

Shannon of East Palo Alto, CA US asks...

A basic question which I am surprised leaves me stumped and that seems to occur often in games.

Team A commits a foul (say tripping). I wait a second to see if advantage develops. In that second, Team B then commits a foul (lets say holding) to establish control of the ball. Player from Team B then clearly has possession at this point and is moving towards the goal.

I know I should award the earlier foul, but should I stop the game to do that at this point, or should I let play continue with advantage to Team B? Or do I have some additional factors to consider, like whether the two teams are starting to venture into reckless fouling because they perceive I am not recognizing fouls and I want to establish more control? Would you recommend I communicate that I recognized both fouls, and how should I do that?

This would be for an Under-19 game, so fast pace, and potential for rough play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Shannon
As described it is unlikely that advantage is a real possibility in these scenarios. The best decision is to call the tripping foul against Team A and the the second foul does nor arise or need to arise.
When playing advantage it should be reasonably obvious that the fouled against team does itself not have to commit a foul to progress advantageously with play. If it does almost immediately then there is no advantage so play should be stopped instantly for the first foul. There is no possibility of any benefit accruing on the second foul. If the referee has to wait to ascertain whether an advantage is available then I would respectfully suggest that it should be used sparingly until the referees skill in using it has progressed.
In respect of maintaining control advantage should be used sparingly and only in situations where stopping play would most clearly disadvantage the fouled against team and there is no hope of a second foul.. Once team start moving into reckless territory then stop play for every foul immediately. If they begin to complain then tell them that until discipline is restored that fouls will be called. The referee may also have to yes cautions to impose discipline. As a result the first foul is called every time. Then look for signs that players are pulling out of challenges and not committing fouls. Im always happy to hear shouts of stand up and no foul after a series of fouls being called including minor ones. It means that they have got the message.
Here is US Soccers most recent advice on advantage.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z7JxMSHCbZA
Now in frame 24 I don't believe there was an immediate advantage to the first attacker on the foul. It did eventually materialise yet that was unclear on the first advantage signal.
The advantage at 1.00 is clear and the referee was 100% correct to continue.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You need to decide if Team B realized the advantage after the first foul or not. If the player who ended up with the ball had no good play, then there was no advantage to be had, and the foul should be called and the ball brought back for the free kick.

But if B did get a good opportunity after you invoked advantage, now you look to the holding foul. Why would someone on B commit a hold when they now have the ball? They just wasted their advantage. Call the foul and free kick for A.

If it happened so bang-bang fast that you can't evaluate if any advantage existed, then go back to the first foul.

Either way it goes, consider whether the game needs a caution or two. Blatant holding is blatant unsporting behavior. And the trip could be a cautionable event as well, if it was a reckless play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Shannon,
it is good to analyze the what ifs and the occasional hmmm situations that create the furrows in our brow.

I can say usually if you have indicated and called out, advantage, generally a player does not retaliate later. It is a right away emotional response of anger. If the following opponent is still fouling, niggling though they maybe, pulling jersey, grabbing kicking that is ...WHY... a referee must be in the mix to indicate to the player that was fouled you are aware, watching and encouraging not ignoring! Often the ball is released for a new teammate to continue the advantage rather than say leave a player just fouled prone in the dust if there was cautionable misconduct state it for all to hear, so he is not tempted to get some payback. It helps if the ARs hear it as well. '#15 red we will be having a chat next stoppage!', 'point to player, tap shirt pocket (yellow card)


Keeping the players informed of the state of the game is a wise move, effective communication, good positioning! Every now and then when a referee attempts to do the right thing by thinking an advantage is in their best interest you will find an obtuse player who decides that it is not! We can protect the conditions of that initial foul by being aware of the development of further play in favour of the aggrieved team, moments earlier! If we see signs that the ...TEAM... is more upset with the manner of the foul then continuing play, we might need to stop play immediately to prevent other misconduct from occurring. It is why the advice off the caution or send off incidents is not to apply advantage because of the risks! The player fouled might want to retaliate or a teammate seeking revenge of a sort!

Interaction with the players, staying in touch with their expectations, knowing what is going on is good for the game . Each referee develops their own personality when conducting or controlling a match. How effective their speaking or gesturing be it to praise or admonish reflects on proper positioning, simply being where you need to be and making correct decisions because you can SELL them far easier when you are where you NEED to be! saying the things they NEED to hear!

If a referee effectively separates the concepts of foul and fair the players are able to determine the referee has their interests and safety in mind and can choose their reactions accordingly. As referee you are looking in and reacting to how they are proceeding! Can you warn him away from screwing up his advantage? Possibly

Yelling 'ADVANTAGE' a smart player understands, ref saw foul !
Referee in good position can interact within reason
Admonish: keep the hands down No fouling! Get back up
Praise: good good play though it! Go on! Nothing there!
These comments express nothing illegal I am here, watching, seeing!

Whereas the advantage signal states there was indeed something illegal and there is a foul (or misconduct) now being evaluated.

We do not use the phrase or words ...ADVANTAGE ! .. for anything BUT a foul we are considering choosing NOT to punish or ...PLAY ON! ... for a foul we have now dismissed! I should point out that is MY opinion of advantage It is just I do not say 'PLAY ON!' unless I hold the opinion advantage was in fact realized. It is also why I use a silent advantage (delayed whistle) in and around the PA.


The application of advantage by a referee is not always a clear path to goal.
In and around the penalty area we tend to be less vocal about advantage, more of as you describe, a waiting for a few moments to see if there is a reason to not stop play, seeking a more favourable outcome than the PK we are thinking
EXPECTATIONS are higher! advantage = GOAL or we restart with PK


The application of advantage elsewhere on the FOP is not handled in the same manner. Expectations are lower. = continued attack or a probable cross or shot on goal. To be very quick, yelling out, 'ADVANTAGE!' along with the arm sweep signal! Partly to stop retaliation, the players HEARS and sees! Knowing we did not miss the foul or infringement, they are less likely to decide to snap an elbow back off a hold or kick at a nearby opponent. If a 2nd retaliatory foul occurs as a result of an obtuse player who does not grasp the advantage was for his benefit then if it occurs in the timeframe of that initial foul assessment and no advantage was there ! Stop play, you can award the 1st foul and if the 2nd foul was more than careless you can punish it as additional misconduct. Claiming you were stopping play anyway. If the advantage was there and only the silly actions of the player prevented it then award the 2nd foul against and punish the misconduct if there was any of the 1st foul. In all cases let the players be aware of your decisions were based on their decisions!


As a referee your impact is limited at times to simply applying the LOTG . We can not force fair play, good play or in fact any decision a player might choose in a heightened emotional moment. As to how you communicate? That my friend is up to you! A referee with integrity sees what he sees and decides upon a course of action suited to his understanding and application of the LOTG. I can advise you effort, staying close to play, communicating, being aware of consequences, anticipating and cutting off the opportunities for players to act foolishly is possible, just not always doable. Knowing when advantage is to be used or to clamp down and stomp play dead? Knowing you have the players respect because they are attuned to your effort and attempts of communication might only last until you make a decision they do not like!

Cheers