Question Number: 25470

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 9/20/2011

RE: rec Under 14

Mike of Hatboro, PA USA asks...

What is the correct restart if the ref mistakenly calls offsides. Ball is played to striker and the defender that keeps him onsides is out of view but definetly kept the striker onsides. Would it be drop ball or IDFK to attacking team?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Correct decision is a dropped ball from where the ball was when play was stopped erroneously

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Assuming that the referee stopped play and then realized the mistake, the restart would be a dropped ball where the ball was located when play was stopped.

My experience is that players and coaches will respect a solo referee who acknowledges the mistake, apologies and then restarts with a dropped ball. (Just don't keep repeating the same mistake.)

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is the same as an inadvertent whistle. The restart is a dropped ball

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Note that if the AR raises the flag but the referee does not stop play, then play continues. Players who may react to the AR's flag should not; they should know to 'play to the whistle'. In most cases the referee should respect the AR's flag, but the ref may see that the AR was mistaken.