Question Number: 16655

Law 11 - Offside 9/12/2007

Kris of Erie, PA USA asks...

I had a game the other day where my assistant made an early offside call. He raised the flag when the ball was in the air to a clearly offside red attacker. Before the ball could make it to the red attacker a blue defender came over and cleared the ball out of their end. Seeing that the defense had control of the ball I did not call the offside. The ball ended up going out of touch off of a blue player. I then awarded the throw in to red about 15 yards(this was where it went out) from where the original offside was. Was this the correct call on my part. By the way in my pre game I stressed not to pop the flag until you saw the attacker actually involve themselves in play. I also mentioned that if the defense has control to put the flag down.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

If you felt the player in an offside position did not become involved in active play then you were correct to make the decision you did.

As referee you make the final decision regarding facts connected with play and the AR is only offering advice which you may or may not accept at your own choosing (or peril).

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Remember always to thank the AR for the information, whether you choose to use it or not. Usually this is done by giving a thumbs up after the wave down, meaning "Thanks for the information, I saw something else that changes it." You can chew them out later, if need be, but for that moment, you need to act like a team. Your call was correct as described. AR needs to add Velcro to the flag so it goes up more slowly because it takes longer to detach it from your leg. My pre-game always told my ARs I would prefer a delayed but correct flag over an early but wrong flag, and assured them I would take the heat for missing a late flag and protect them from less knowledgeable folks on the touchlines. All the best.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Another thing for the referee to consider is was the reason the defender played the ball out based on his knowledge an opponent was close by. In this case US Soccer recommends, in Advice to Referees 2007 paragraph 11.14 that the restart be awarded to the defenders be it a throw-in or a goal kick. The reason is the attack was offside and benefited from the actions of a defender dealing with an offside opponent.

Regards,