Question Number: 30809

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/24/2016

RE: Amateur Adult

Terry Ryan of Roscommon, Ireland asks...

Is it an offence to raise your arm and call for an offside? EG I am playing centre half, the ball is played to the striker who is in an offside position so I shout 'Offside', is this a yellow card offence as a referee told me tonight? Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Terry,
On its own, appealing - whether for an offside, foul, or ball out of play - is not considered dissent.

In some particularly extreme cases when players appeal for absolutely everything - including many ridiculous claims - it starts getting a bit ridiculous and undermines the authority of the referee and in those cases some referees may start to consider it dissent.

Beyond that....not that it comes up often (not sure if I've ever really considered this aspect on the field myself), but if the appeal is, say, screamed out in a completely over the top manner then some referees may consider that to be dissent.

These are rare situations though. Of course, if anything beyond simply calling 'offside!' was said then that changes things.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

In and of itself, appealing for an offside decision is not normally a cautionable offence. As referee Wright indicates though, it might under some circumstances, be seen as dissent.

For me, it would probably have to be done in a repeatedly unnecessary or aggressive manner and the player would have to continue doing it in this fashion after having been warned by the referee, before it could be considered as a potential caution.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Terry
A normal appeal for offside or a foul in itself would not be a caution. It is part of the game and attacker pay no heed to it. However like my colleagues I believe that repeated unnecessary calling for absolutely everything along with continuing to shout after the appeal will test the patience of any referee and may end up as a caution .
Many player who appeal for decisions never leave it at that. If the offside is given they either persist with questioning the no call or gesture dissatisfaction with the referee. That is dissent and a caution.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Perhaps the referee thought your call of 'Offside' was meant to throw off the attacker and make him stop his run. That definitely would be unsporting behavior.

Best to let the referee call the game, and then after the game ask for a clarification on one or two points of the game. If you haven't been making a nuisance of yourself throughout the game, most refs will be willing to discuss things. Maybe the ref won't remember the play in question, but he might be able to give you some general observations.