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Attacking offences
Clear Line

Attacking offences

The term attacking possession phase (APP) refers to the period when the attacking team is in possession of the ball, immediately before a goal, penalty, red card given for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO) or a second yellow card for stopping a promising attack (SPA). We examine what referees must consider in their decision-making, and where VAR should intervene if required.
Overview Offside Foul / handball Foul before ball in play Overview Offside Foul / handball Foul before ball in play

Foul before the ball is in play

This section covers offences committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner or free kick, where the offence has a direct impact on a subsequent goal, penalty or sanction.

The rationale

Offences that are committed by attackers before the ball is in play at a corner or free-kick but have an impact on what subsequently happens should be sanctioned and the outcome cancelled. Given the ball was never in play, the corner or free-kick must be retaken.

✅ When VAR should cancel a goal, penalty, red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity or second yellow card for stopping a promising attack

  • a clear offence is committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner or free-kick, and the offence has a direct impact on the subsequent goal, penalty or disciplinary sanction.

VAR should recommend an on-field review, and if the referee determines that an offence occurred before the ball was in play, the goal, penalty or disciplinary sanction will be cancelled and the corner or free-kick will be retaken.

Clear foul by attacking team before ball in play: Corner kick should be retaken

A decision standing after a check is not VAR failing to act, it is VAR finding no clear and obvious error to correct.