Question Number: 33182

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/24/2019

RE: Select Under 17

Lionel Heinold of Ephrata, WA United States asks...

A1 has the ball and is attacking, B2 is fouling A1 as the ball is passed to A2 who receives the ball. Advantage is called, ARs flag comes up for offside. What is the restart?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Lionel,
It's up to the referee to decide what they want to do here. If the referee judges that no advantage has ensued, they can call it back for the original foul. If the referee feels the advantage was there but was wasted by poor choices on the part of A1 or A2, they could call the offside.

Based on the description of this particular scenario (although without actually having seen it unfold, which makes it difficult) I would feel it would probably be better to go back and penalise the original offence as the team against which the foul was committed has not benefited from the advantage.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lionel
Every chance that there was no possible advantage if the ball was destined for a player in an offside position.
I would say that the best decision is a direct free kick for the foul on A1.
If advantage was played and A1 ran on with the ball evading the foul by B2 with advantage having been fully realised then the offside will be called.
For me there would have to be good distance between the foul and the offside (at least 3/4 seconds) for the offside to be called instead of the foul.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Lionel,
I am 100% in agreement with my colleague Ref McHugh . Award the foul as there is no possibility of an advantage in shuffling the ball off to an offside teammate. ESPECIALLY if there was additional misconduct warranting a caution or send off.

If the fouled player was running free and unobstructed AFTER the foul with no after effects of the foul then as a referee you are recognizing HIS attack is advantageous then you drop the signal THEN he passes to an offside team mate that is an INDFK out.

In other words the poor choice INDFK option should ONLY come from a long time lapse where it was apparent the attacking options was not limited too only that dreadful outlet pass giving away possession.

Cheers