Question Number: 24674

Law 11 - Offside 3/10/2011

RE: Select Adult

Adedeji of Lagos, Lagos Nigeria asks...

If a player in offside position kick ball 1 second after referee has whistled offside what is the punishment

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Adedeji
There has been a lot of interest in the decision by the referee to caution R VanPersie in the game between Barcalona and Arsenal for playing on after the whistle had sounded for offside. As it was VanPersie's second caution in the game he had to be dismissed.
The caution was issued for delaying the restart of play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee has the power to caution a player for delaying the restart of play. The referee also has the discretion to ignore it as a trifling or doubtful infringement; to have a private word with the player; or to publicly warn the player without a card. What is the appropriate respond depends on the circumstances. The referee is granted discretion in the hope it will be used wisely.

In my experience, the player's conduct before the particular incident can play an important role in deciding how a referee should respond to this one. A player who has been constantly dissenting decisions by the referee, who has ignored a prior warning about unsporting conduct, and then kicks the ball away to show disagreement with an offside decision is very likely to be cautioned. While the caution is reported as delaying the restart of play, the player is usually engaged in a form of dissent.



While my experience is that the players always hear the whistle (although it may take a moment for youth and amateurs to react to it), some referees also watch what happens after the whistle. Players who are 40 yards away from goal on a breakaway won't shoot (in the absence of a whistle). They continue to advance toward goal. The immediate shot confirms that the player heard the whistle.
What makes the Champion's League decision seem harsh is that the second caution did not involve contact with an opponent. Few would question, for example, a first caution for delaying the restart of play and a later, second caution for a reckless tackle. But, there is no requirement that a second caution involve something greater than what deserves a first caution. The laws do not change simply because the order is reversed. Having already been cautioned, the player was on notice that any further misconduct could lead to a sendoff. The player alone is responsible for his conduct.