Question Number: 17696

Law 5 - The Referee 11/5/2007

RE: USSF 8, NFHS EMSOA Under 12

John Cowles of Bedford, MA USA asks...

In my Boys U-11 team's most recent match, our defender clearly kicked the ball to our keeper. Our keeper had not expected such a play under the circumstances and clearly handled the ball (deliberately touching the ball with his hands) inside the goal area, though in his surprise he muffed the play and never established control of the ball. The referee did not stop play, nor did he make any other indication. As a referee myself, I would have awarded an IDFK to the opposing team from the six-yard line.

After the game, the referee mentioned that he was playing advantage on that particular play. Indeed, as my keeper muffed the "handle", the opponents almost scored.

My questions are:
1. Was "advantage" appropriate here, and if so, shouldn't he have at least motioned to "play on"?
2. What is the point of no return after playing advantage after which the ref should not call the original violation?

While all the coaches and players in the match behaved (i.e. obeyed zero tolerance per our league rules), I still think our opponents were rooked out of an IDFK from close range.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

1) Yes, advantage is appropriate. While he should have signaled and called out "Advantage" or "Play On", sometimes that has the effect of distracting younger players. "The ref said something - what did he say?" and then they stop playing.

2) Advantage is not realized if the team is not able to capitalize on it. But that doesn't mean they get another chance if they blow it themselves. If a player takes a shot and it goes wide, that's too bad for his side. It is called back only if the player is disadvantaged as a consequence of the original foul. The fact that they almost scored says to me that advantage likely had accrued.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi John. The referee handling infractions are part of Law 12 so advantage is appropriate. Since you state they "almost scored" it sounds as if the advantage was realised. Yes. the referee should have signalled advantage but may not have had time to.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

John, remember the reason for the offense known as the deliberate kick back to the keeper comes from the desire of FIFA to prevent unnecessary delays in playing the game. If the kickback, even if deliberate, had the result you noted, a referee could easily decide it was a trifling infraction, or even a doubtful one, because it caused no delay, and he could even have awarded the advantage, announced or not. It is an offense meant to be enforced when necessary, but not one meant to be enforced to the exact letter and period. I don't think your players were trying to delay the game, and I'll bet after the game, you were able to further their education about why that is a bad idea to do during a game. Thanks for the question - interesting!