U.S. Soccer Referee Position Paper - April 11, 2008

[xxxx10brownie1xxxx]

Referee blew his whistle too soon, he needed to wait to see if there was an advantage.

One of the hardest things to do is to wait a second before blowing your whistle for a PK if you think there could be an advantage.

[Deethen]

ussoccer.com/Referees/Laws-of-­the-Game/Position-Papers.aspx 

[redsquall5]

This referee got lucky. He blew the whistle while the ball was traveling towards the goal. Its hard to tell from this video, but i think the ref gave no indication he intended to let the play go on. The tackle is a perfect example serious foul play. Stud up, over the ball. He should have been sent-off.

[MrCambee]

@ magicpianoplayer There is no sure shot that the PK would result in a goal. Always allow the play to develop to see if a goal will result, and you can always rewind to give the PK after the a goal scoring chance.

[magicpianoplayer]

I'm not quite sure why you would give an advantage call in the box unless maybe someone had an open shot at an open net, which is not the case here.

[emiliomundula]

If you look closely at how the defender tackles the Blue player, you can see all his cleats up going against the Blue player's ankles.

The advantage call was good, the penalty call was good BUT you can easily sell a straight RED card for Serious Foul Play.

[EivindB91]

Well, I'm not sure. Of course it is a penalty, no doubt about that. The referee makes a perfect decision, waiting to see if there will be an advantage, and blowing the whistle when he quickly sees it is not.

But in the tackle, the defender kinda jumps in at the attacker. Cards are also awarded for dangerous play. A red one is too strong, but this could easily be a yellow card - well defended by the rules.

[hedak7]

definitely a penalty but no card whatsoever. that was almost not a foul but he did catch the mans foot.

[AntoKneeo619]

definetly penalty kick!!! the referee was correct on giving a little time to see if there might be a goal, then the goal would be rewarded, that is what i do! Great Job!!!

[dhogan]

Great delay on the whistle! I think from the position the referee was in, he saw that the shot was not going in, and pulled it back for a penalty. Well done.

And God am I glad I'm not making that call...

[royalgk]

Advantage in the box is such a tough call to make.  Referee was probably a touch early with the whistle, but wow that's tough. Very few people would have blamed him for making the call immediately.

[Gamerman4ever]

lol

[Goochy66]

is that bruce arena?  kidna sounds like him