You-Call-It 1

Question...

Attacking player A1 is in an offside position on the left half of the field. At that moment attacking player A2 makes a shot at goal. The ball bounces off the goal post then hits you (The Center Referee) in the leg and ends up in a perfect position for attacking player A1 to kick the ball into the goal. What's Your call... Your Match! Your Decision! Your Reputation!

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Lorne Grapentine a Referee from Edmonton Canada

The referee is considered a part of the playing field.
"Quote
Law 9 The Ball IN AND OUT OF PLAY
Ball In Play
The ball is in play at all other times, including when: it rebounds from either the referee or an assistant referee when they are on the field of play"

This rebound of the ball off the referee is no different than if the ball rebounded off the post, crossbar or flag.

"Quote
LAW 11 Decision 2
Gaining an advantage by being in that position means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a post or the crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position."

Even though the referee is not mentioned directly we can understand that no referee should be in a position that could lead to this possibility. The referee requires a better position and anticipation of play so as not to be caught out by such a situation

The offside infringement criteria of gaining an advantage is met once the offside positioned attacker A1 makes contact with the ball. It is an INDFK from where the offside attacker was (left half) WHEN the shot was first taken.

Alan a Referee from Georgetown TX USA

According to Law 11 -

A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
• interfering with play; or
• interfering with an opponent; or
• gaining an advantage by being in that position.

In this example, player A1 gained an advantage by being in his position (which was offside) when his teammate played the ball. Therefore, the correct call is to disallow the goal and restart with an IFK for the defending team at the point of the offside infraction.

The fact that the ball struck the CR is of no consequence. Striking the CR is exactly the same as striking the goal-post or a corner-flag -- the CR is just another part of the field of play.

Bob a Referee from Davenport IA USA

Offside

Alice Wydrych a Referee from Montreal Quebec Canada

I would call it an offside and award an indirect free kick to the defending team because he has become active in play and is gaining an advantage from the position he is in.

Charles Osborn a Coach from Fairfax VA USA

The call should be offside because the A2 was the last to play the ball. Law 9 states that a ball is in play if it rebounds from the referee just like the goalpost that the ball hit. A1 gained an advantage from being in an offside position therefore meets the requirements of Law 11 and must me sanctioned for offside.

Steve Montanino a Referee from Griggstown NJ The United States of America

In the example listed above the Referee should penalize player team A for a violation of Law 10. An indirect free kick should be taken by team B.

This is so, because...

At the moment the ball was kicked by A2, we know that A1 was in an offside position.

The ball next strikes the frame of the goal and bounces back into the field of play. The ball touches no other players.

The ball strikes the referee, who is considered a part of the field, or the "same as a blade of grass".

So, at this point we know that no other offensive players have touched the ball to "reset" the offside position of any players.

Therefore, A1 is still in an offside position when the ball falls to his feet. A1 is now gaining an advantage by being in that position as the ball has rebounded to him from the crossbar and referee.

Since the player is gaining an advantage by being in an offside position from the moment the ball was last played by a member of his team, he must be sanctioned for violating Law 11.

Team B will take an indirect free kick as a result of the violation.

Gary Edbrooke a Coach from Granby CT USA

No goal. A1 gained an advantage by being in an offside position. The fact that it hit the CR is irrelavent. Restart is IFK to defending team at spot where A1 played the ball.

Tim McWhirk a Soccer Parent from Roseville CA USA

The goal should be disallowed because the Referee is considered part of the feild of play just like the goal post.

Tom a Player from Canberra Australia

Offside. IFK to the defending team.

Player A1 was in an offside position when the ball was played. Had the first shot gone in, A2 could have been considered not to be involved in active play. Once A2 moved to play the ball for the follow-up shot on goal, he was gaining an advantage by being in an offside position.

A decision of the International FA Board states that:
"Gaining an advantage by being in that position means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a post or the crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position."

The ball striking the referee makes no difference, as this is play-on similar to hitting a goal post or corner flag (Law 9).

Tom Arnold a Referee from Stafford Staffordshire United Kingdom

I'd call the offside. The fact the ball hit the center referee is irrelavent because the referee is considered part of the field so in the terms of the Laws Of The Game, the ball hitting the referee would be the same as the ball hitting a piece of grass. And A1 was gaining an advantage from being in that offside position therefore definatly an offside call.

Greg Hofmeyer a Coach from Monticello IN USA

Player A1 is offsides therefor, the goal is not allowed. A free kick is awarded the defending team at the spot of the infraction.

jim Hardcastle a Referee from glenwood springs colorado usa

There should be a whistle stopping play at the spot at which the ball was kicked by A1 to the goal, IDFK should be called for the defending team at that spot. No goal. A1 realized an illegal advantage from the deflection of the referee which does not interfere with the ball in terms of progression of play, i.e. A1 took a pass from A2 and thus goes from offside position to being ruled offside. Had the ball been similarly played from an uncontrolled deflection off the GK instead of the goal post onto the ref then to A1, same result. No call for offside on A1 until these senarios occur or A1 draws the GK away from the attacker becasue he sees the advance of A1 and believes he will be a part of the play.

AskTheref.com Educating and Amusing The Soccer Referee Since October 11, 1999