As good as scoring a goal!

In my distant past I played local Sunday football and can still remember the feeling of scoring a goal or two. That sense of elation was never better than when the goal clinched the points or more rarely, resulted from a piece of skilful football. There is actually a time in refereeing that you can come close to that feeling.

Playing the advantage

It states within the laws of football that a foul should not be penalised if by doing so an advantage would be given to the offending team. This is the so-called ‘advantage clause’. The implication is that, if the referee spots a foul but by continuing play the offended team have a better chance of scoring or continuing an attack than if a free kick was given, then he can play an advantage.

Whatever else I do when refereeing, I am always prepared to play that advantage. Even so, it is not always clear cut. In the instant that the offence has occurred, you need to assess many things: the position of the players, the position of the ball, the position on the field, the degree of the challenge. Only when all things are considered and felt to be beneficial to the offended team should the advantage be played.

Not always appreciated

The interesting thing is that some of the people involved are unable to see an advantage situation, whereas I may be thinking that, if the ball is now played into that space and if the defenders are caught off guard, then a goal-scoring opportunity may accrue. So much to think of in such little time. However, when an advantage comes off - especially if a goal is scored - there is no greater feeling in football refereeing. I honestly believe this is one area where an official who has played the game will always have a head start over one who has not.

I have been in situations where the bench is still screaming for a foul on their winger when the ball is going into the goal. Amazingly it is extremely rare for a player to come over to you and say “well played” referee, but that is how you think about it.

It must be remembered that just because you have played the advantage, it doesn’t mean that the culprit has got away with it. On many occasions I have allowed play to continue and then, whether a goal is scored or not, at the next stoppage in play I have taken disciplinary action against the offender.

Playing advantage has its dangers

However, there are two dangers in the use of advantage. I believe that at the highest levels, such as Premiership football, advantage is used as an excuse for not reprimanding players. By continually letting the game flow, fouls are ignored and the peril is that players will exact their own form of justice. Secondly, you must always be aware of the skills of the players involved. In local football the players will invariably want the free kick rather than an advantage. Allowing play to continue whilst the fouled 6’6”centre half has his opposite number by the throat could lead to other problems!

Jesting to one side, if an advantage can be played and providing you are in control of the situation, there is no greater feeling in refereeing. And making a goal possible in spite of a foul attempt to stop it, really is something akin to scoring one yourself.

John Moore

© J Moore 1999

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