Question Number: 31969

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/31/2017

RE: Adult

Anthony Bailey of Hamilton, Paget Bermuda asks...

Law 12 Advantage:

If a player commits an offense that warrants a yellow card but the ref plays the advantage and as play continues the same offending player gets involved in active play by challenging for the ball should play be stopped and the player booked with the restart being an indirect free kick to the attacking team or should you wait until the ball goes out of play and then book the player?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Anthony
The answer is NO and that amendment to the Laws only applies to red card offences. In the case where advantage has been played on a red card offence and the player subsequently gets involved in active play then it is an IDFK from where the player gets involved.
It is a very rare offence as referees are advised to not play advantage on a red card offence except in a goal scoring opportunity. It does not apply to cautions

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If you play advantage where you are going to be giving a caution later, it may be wise to warn the player that you are coming back for him.

And if he should be so inclined to commit a second cautionable offense before the ball goes out of play, you should stop play then. You don't want a player running around the field with a red card hanging over his head. All kinds of nonsense and trouble may ensue!