Question Number: 31719

Law 13 - Free Kicks 8/19/2017

RE: Select High School

Gerald of Owerri, Imo Nigeria asks...

Can an advantage be played for a deliberate handball?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Gerald,
According to the Laws of the Game, ''The referee [...] allows play to continue when an offence occurs and the non-offending team will benefit from the advantage ...''

Since deliberate handling is an offence, advantage can be applied to it.

The classic example of this is when a defender deliberately handles the ball to try and stop it entering the net but fails. Even though the player has deliberately handled the ball, the advantage is (or should be) always applied and the goal allowed.

In this situation, the player who handled the ball in an unsuccessful attempt to deny a goal must be cautioned.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gerald
Yes advantage can be played on deliberate handling of the ball. The decision rests with the referee when an offence occurs and the non-offending team will benefit from the advantage being played.
In fact advantage should be applied where a player attempts to stop the ball entering the goal with his hand and fails. The goal should be awarded by playing advantage

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Gerald,
advantage is there for consideration for all fouls created by the opposition if the ball is in play INCLUDING 'handling the ball deliberately' WHICH also as a deliberate action could RESET offside parameters /restrictions for the attacking team and incurring a huge advantage by making a previously restricted player capable of taking advantage of his position legally .
Cheers.