Recent Rule Questions
#35955 | 7/9/2026
Reuben Bernick from Glencoe, IL
Reuben Bernick from Glencoe, IL
Category: Mechanics (World Cup High School)
Concerning the disallowance of Egypt's goal in the game against Argentina, could the referee have decided that the "foul" was not a foul by World Cup standards, or if it was, that the foul should not be called, even though it was part of the progression to the goal, in light of the circumstances? Or, once VAR intervened, did the referee have no discretion but to disallow the goal?
#35954 | 7/6/2026
??? from Guangzhou, Guangdong
??? from Guangzhou, Guangdong
Category: Law 11 - Offside (rec Under 12)
In the semi-automatic offside rule, a player's hair is considered part of their body only if it affects the trajectory of the ball. So, in the match between Croatia and Portugal, Matanovic only touched the ball with his hair, but the trajectory of the ball did not change. Why was Pasalic's goal still considered offside
#35953 | 7/3/2026
Steve Maricic from Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey
Steve Maricic from Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey
Category: Law 11 - Offside ( Adult)
I watched the Croatia-Portugal game last night. I know very little about soccer, and I have a very stupid question about the Offside rule:
Imagine a game where Team A is winning 1-0 with a few minutes left to play. They decide to move all their players into Team B's side of the field except for their goalie and one guy who hovers at midfield just inside Team A's side of the field.
If one of Team B's players dribbles the ball just past that player, is he offsides?
#35952 | 7/2/2026
Joe Gonillo from Essex, VT
Joe Gonillo from Essex, VT
Category: High School ( High School)
When is a second whistle required to restart play according to NFHS soccer rules?
#35951 | 6/29/2026
Peter Cottam from Accrington, Lancashire
Peter Cottam from Accrington, Lancashire
Category: Law 11 - Offside ( Adult)
Germany v Paraguay on TV now ,German player from his own half kicks ball forward into other half towards a player who is stood offside, Paraguay player then heads it over touch line and the referee gives a corner,why not an indirect free kick for offside seeing fifa said no delays of flag for offside?
#35950 | 6/28/2026
Mark Stanton from Ketchum, Idaho
Mark Stanton from Ketchum, Idaho
Category: Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct ( Adult)
In the Argentina v Jordon game last night ,Argentina got a penalty when Jordon player was kicked in the head. I thought putting your head where a player is entitled to try and kick the ball is creating a " dangerous play " and should have actually been a free kick to Jordan ?
Thx for help.
#35949 | 6/27/2026
Joe g from Essex Jct, VT
Joe g from Essex Jct, VT
Category: Law 10 - Determining the Outcome of a Match (HS High School)
A kickoff that goes directly into opponents goal is ….. goal kick for defending team…correct?
#35948 | 6/19/2026
Josh Maund from Lincolnshire, Lincoln
Josh Maund from Lincolnshire, Lincoln
Category: Law 14 - The Penalty kick (Rec Adult)
If a player taking a penalty hits a really hard shot which cannons off the crossbar and (whether due to the wind or just misjudging bounces) finds its way into the taker's goal is it an own goal? Or a corner like as it’s a restart in play ??
#35941 | 6/13/2026
Jeff Moore from Grass Valley, CA
Jeff Moore from Grass Valley, CA
Category: Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play (Rec Adult)
Watching the U.S. vs Paraguay game. Paraguay given a free kick for foul. And U.S. player given yellow card. vAR reversed the card and give yellow to Paraguay for simulation. What would happen if they had scored on the free kick?
#35938 | 5/24/2026
Jerry from Riverside, CA
Jerry from Riverside, CA
Category: Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct (Rec Adult)
During a free kick, attacking player walks back and steps on defending player's foot. Defending player pushes attacker and gets a warning. Attacking player repeats motion, steps on foot, defending player get yellow. Attacking player repeats motion. What does the law of the game says?
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Operating since October 11, 1999, that is 25 years as an independent, FREE, public service site. Dedicated to personally answering your questions regarding any Professional, Grassroots, FIFA, College, High school, or Youth soccer game situation. To ask a question simply click on Ask the Ref in the menu bar, post your question!
Please understand, we are comprised of strictly volunteers, thus lack the time required to review or alter the hundreds of thousands of previous questions & answers. The LOTG /RULES are constantly being tweaked, reevaluated and rewritten each year, often rendering previous answers as incorrect, partially true and/or portions no longer applicable! Our answers can only coincide within the changing LOTG/RULES time/frame of the date a question was asked! We feel it is essential you review & read the latest version of the always changing Laws/Rules of the Game.
The IFAB 2025 - 2026 LOTG Laws of the Game can be viewed here:
https://www.theifab.com/
The USA Highschool rules can be viewed here:
https://nfhs.org/nfhs-for-you/officials/
The NCAA rules can be viewed here:
Soccer Rules of the Game - NCAA.org
Those who have ideas or articles please feel free to contact the editor Richard Dawson at mrref@asktheref.com with suggestions. There are no costs involved to ask or have us respond to a question but we are not upset if you wished to donate or sponsor on the site as in todays world it is difficult to operate independently.