Question Number: 15838

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 6/20/2007

RE: Rec Under 16

Tom Stapleton of Seattle, WA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 10090

In regards to Referee Dawson's remarks [10090], I only had one quick question. From the description of the events leading up to the AR calling advantage, it would appear that the ball was at or near midfield. If this was the case, was there truly an advantage due to the distance to goal and also the number of likely defenders between the now attacker and goal?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Tom,
the two opposing players involved were isolated from the main pack by about 30 yards the advantage was I think more in the defender breaking free of the attacker with ball possession and having 20 yards in front of him to continue play rather than stop for a free kick. As I mentioned it might have had more to do with preventing retaliation then a huge superior position but the attacker had sort of resigned himself that he had lost the ball and was no longer pursuing as hard speaking as a coach that I would want my player to do. The defender realizing his pursuit had given up was free to advance the ball upfield and seek out an attacking option, if he could let go of the need to retailiate.

Another factor here was no other opponent was close by to truly hassle any realistic decision the defender wished to make.

What we still question is whether an AR actually yelling advantage and signalling play on was something other referees could agree with. In this one and ONLY incident I have seen it worked fine!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Tom, remember what you read was a special circumstance, assistants do not have, as one of their powers and duties, the power to play advantage. What is better is yell out "I have it number 5, 19 red did strike you" This should be loud enough for the referee to hear. Presto, the situation is defused, the referee knows and handbags at fifteen paces doesn't deteriorate into teeth, hair and eyes all over the place...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I didn't read question 10090 until today. I've read Ref Dawson's answer and find the actions of the center referee strange to say the least. He may be a world class referee but one is simply going against Law for stopping play for a player saying something, awarding an IDFK and NOT issuing a caution for USB. There's no such animal as "verbal impeding". I also disagree with switching ARs at the half and here's why: although it's NOT an integrity issue, no 2 ARs call everything, including offside, exactly the same. To switch ARs is, in my opinion, unfair as 1 team may benefit especially if the offside calls are a little different. Each team should have the benefit or detriment of having each AR for a half, although it's pefectly within Law not to. The AR yelling advantage play on was likewise strange. When the player breaking away looked back to see if a foul was going to be called it would have been proper for the AR to quickly say something along the lines of " The referee sees you with an advantage" or something similar. The AR has no authority to give or indicate advantage. But...I'm just a crusty old guy and somewhat of a stickler for not doing things forbidden by Law.