Advantage: letting play continue without losing control

What advantage is

When an offence is committed, the referee can allow play to continue if that benefits the team that suffered it. They signal it with both arms stretched forward. If the anticipated advantage doesn't follow within a few seconds, they can go back and penalise the original offence.

When to play it

• The fouled team keeps the ball and has a real chance of continuing the attack.
• The play is in a useful area: the closer to the opponents' goal, the more it's worth continuing.
• The match atmosphere allows it: in a tense match, it's sometimes better to stop and show authority.

Advantage should not be played for serious foul play, violent conduct or a second cautionable offence, unless there is a clear opportunity to score a goal.

Cards don't disappear

Playing advantage doesn't cancel the disciplinary sanction: the yellow or red the action deserved is shown at the next stoppage. There are important nuances:

• If the foul only stopped a promising attack and advantage is played, the attack wasn't stopped, so there is no caution for that reason.
• If the foul denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the team ends up scoring thanks to the advantage, there's no longer a sending-off for denying that opportunity, because it wasn't denied, although the action may still deserve a caution.
• If the foul was reckless or used excessive force, the corresponding card stands, goal or no goal.

Practical tip

Wait a second or two before deciding, signal the advantage clearly and remember the player who committed the foul: if there was a card, you'll have to show it when the ball goes out of play.