Question Number: 30776

Law 5 - The Referee 9/18/2016

RE: Rec Adult

russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30773

What I like about this site is the opportunity to pose a scenario or ask a question, and the subsequent replies from the panel referees and readers, with the occasional follow up banter.
As I indicated, IMO it was a red as a scoring opportunity was denied, so I'm not sure what Ref Dawson meant by his opening reply comment?

What helped my decision was all the experienced gain both on the field of play AND importantly, from knowledge and considerations learnt through sites like this one. Sometimes long dissected replies provide the guidance, sometime a short statement like 'We are judging opportunity not certainty' that Ref Dawson mentioned hits the nail on the head as the saying goes.

Sometines a question is asked when I suspect the answer is not always as black and white as the uniform we so often wear - as evident by Ref McHugh who thought the penalty mechanics were trifling, yet could provide an instance where others thought otherwise.

Ref Wright hits on the very basis of the questioning - some think 'this', some think 'that'.

What this site allows us to do is put all the replies, facts and considerations into our knowledge bank to draw upon should we find ourselves in the same or similar situation - and what more could we ask for.

Love your work.

Regards

Russell

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
Many thanks for your kind words. I am delighted that IFAB has introduced the following phrase
**Decisions will be made to the best of the referee's ability according to the Laws of the Game and the 'spirit of the game' and will be based on the opinion of the referee who has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game.**