Question Number: 26244

Law 8 - Start and Restart of Play 4/26/2012

RE: Premier Under 18

Joe Gallagher of Lewisburg, PA USA asks...

In a recent match, a foul was signalled by the AR indicating the ball possession went to my team. The center referee likewise indicated possesion to our team. Our team moved forward to take the restart. At that point the AR told the center referee that he meant to indicate the ball should go to our opponent. The center ref then indicated a change in possession. While the situation was still uncertain to my team, our opponents took a quick restart giving them a major advantage and leading to a score. I felt the center ref should not have permitted the quick restart due to the confusion the officials had created. This confusion lead to an unfair advantage that I felt was clearly against the spirit of the game. Am I correct in my belief that the restart should have been held until my team had the opportunity to organize because their positioning was caused by the initial incorrect call.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joe
I would agree that it is poor mechanics for the referee crew to signal a restart in a particular direction and then allow a quick restart on a changed decision with the opponents unprepared as a result of that change.
The restart should have been on the whistle and delayed until the team was reset. How much re-organization should be allowed would be at the discretion of the referee and in my opinion based on rewinding the positions to the award of the decision.
Not required in Law but in fairness and equity it is good practise.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Joe,

I've done the same thing when in the middle -signalled for a foul one way, then as the players were setting up realised I suffered from a bout of halftime-itis and forgot which team was going which way.

When I correct this error I make sure to tell the players to wait for the whistle, and I will not allow the kick to occur until the defence have had the opportunity to set themselves up. This is the one time I will refuse to permit a quick free kick.

Of course the attacking team will always moan about it because they want to take advantage of the out-of-position defence, but it would be extremely unfair to allow them to capitalise off my mistake.

While in law the referee was not obligated to delay the restart, the spirit of the game and all sense of fairness would dictate that he should have.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

I agree with you. The defense should not be misled by something the referee says or does. When the referee and assistant both signaled in the wrong direction, holding up the restart is the fair thing to do.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 26285