Question Number: 35750

Law 5 - The Referee 10/13/2024

RE: College

Mario viteri of Katy, Tx Fort bend asks...

Can a ref play the advantage on a hand ball?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mario

The answer is most definitely.
An example would be a through ball to a forward in a good attacking position and a defender reaches out to stop the ball yet fails . Here the referee can and should play advantage.

Another example would be a defender who stop the ball on the goal line to prevent a goal yet fails with the being kicked into the goal on a follow up by an attacker. The referee should play advantage and award the goal.

We have all seen situations where a referee has been quick with the whistle to halt play in which case the attacking team has been deprived of a goal or goal scoring opportunity
Yes it might get given back with a penalty and a caution for the offender or perhaps a free kick and a caution and a dismissal if the handling denied a goal scoring opportunity

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Mario,
100%! A deliberate handling is a DFK just like many other fouls! Rather than blow immediately, an astute referee will see first, wait, watch and then decide! Advantage is often a better option, especially in around the opposition's goal.

The mistake most officials make is they are often too quick on the whistle often reacting to the screams of "Handball!" by the attackers and fans.

While we can just delay and await an outcome in around the goal without SAYING and signaling advantage for the handling fouls. Often unless a Goal results after a DOGSO handling, nothing less than a goal stops the PK send off.

Mind you, further out from the goal a referee should shout, "Advantage! signal with the arm sweep palm out and add, "Play on!" if the advantage is realized

Vancouver was playing the Winnipeg fury when the young referee in charge blew the whistle for a DOGSO handling on the goal line that bounced out onto the foot of another onside attacker who promptly kicked the ball into the goal as the whistle was sounding! Now technically that goal should NOT have counted the LOTG mandated he could not allow the goal as he had already whistled play stopped, he was to award the PK & the defender would be sent off. Except he wound up cautioning the defender and awarding the goal falsely claiming that the ball was over the goal line just as he whistled . It was not, but both teams accepted the decision because 1 team got a goal and the other did not play short!
Cheers