Question Number: 18045

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 12/2/2007

Fred Landau of Harrisburg, PA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 18024

Question 18024 leads to some interesting what-if scenarios, particularly if the referee fails to notice the offside signal that the AR has properly delayed until determining that attacker A got to the ball first.

Scenario 1: Attacker A, who started in an offside position, collects the ball and starts to dribble into the area where she is met by the keeper who grabs her arm and spins her off the ball. Referee blows whistle, points to the spot, and starts to send off the keeper for DOGSO when he finally sees the AR standing with the flag raised.

After a conference with the AR the referee informs the players that offside occurred first, there is no penalty kick and lets the keeper know that he was just giving the red card some fresh air. The restart will be an IFK for the defenders near the halfway line where Attacker A was at the time of the original pass.

Scenario 2: Attacker A, who started in an offside position, collects the ball and starts to dribble into the area where she is met by the keeper who levels her with an elbow to the face. Referee blows whistle, points to the spot, and starts to send off the keeper for Serious Foul Play when he finally sees the AR standing with the flag raised.

After a conference with the AR the referee informs the players that offside occurred first, there is no penalty kick; however, the keeper is still being sent off for violent conduct and the restart will be delayed while the defenders name a new keeper. Once the new keeper is in place and team B is now playing down one player, the restart will be an IFK for the defenders near the halfway line where Attacker A was at the time of the original pass.

What do you think?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I think you did a fine job of analysis. I love the "give the red card some fresh air" - how funny! First in time controls - and it the referee who gets to decide what is first in time. Write again anytime!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You are correct. But the referee, in missing the signal, has dug himself the hole in which he finds himself. Every time the attack touches the ball looking to the assistant for an indication of offside is a better mechanic than having to reason yourself out of a hole...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You don't need us. You obviously have knowledge of the Laws and how to implement them!