Q&A with referee Alan Kelly on Foot.ie

**CharlesThompson** · 17/03/2006, 7:19 PM

I would like to ask him his opinion on this:

Up until recently I played football in a league. One of the referee's for a match we were playing happens to be a linesman in the eL. After the match when I was going to my car I noted to the linesman, regarding eL matches, that in more cases than I believe could possibly be mistakes I have noticed that some linesmen put up their flags for offsides that are blatantly not offsides - not close calls - but players that are clearly onside. His answer back to me was that I should put myself in the position of a linesman, that if I was getting abuse as a linesman from the stands, then wouldn't I do the same? i.e. call players offside who I knew were onside, because I was getting abuse from the stands. What is your opinion on this?

**thomas** · 20/03/2006, 5:04 AM

Originally Posted by Alan Kelly

If the game is very high tempo and the tackles are flying in, then its better to stop the game and speak to or caution the player.

If the game is a normal paced game then I agree with you, play the advantage and then come back to speak to or caution the player.

When playing advantage, it's not just enough to be in possession of the ball, a positive advantage i.e. promising situation must be there for the offended team.

Fair point - thanks.

This is very dissapointing. Surely there should be no difference? Just come back to the guilty player at the end of the high tempo sequence. Why break up a high tempo game but not an "average" one if the offence and potential advantage are the same.
This is one area where a good ref will shine (ie not be noticed) and a bad one will obviously be noticced breaking up the play.

**Raheny Red** · 21/03/2006, 12:10 PM

*BUMP*

So how about the Shels and Linfield game

Great refereeing by you and your assistants

**pineapple stu** · 21/03/2006, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by thomas

This is very dissapointing. Surely there should be no difference? Just come back to the guilty player at the end of the high tempo sequence. Why break up a high tempo game but not an "average" one if the offence and potential advantage are the same.

He seems to be implying that in the high tempo game, one of those "high tempo" tackles is sooner or later going to end being a leg-breaker, so better to nip it in the bud before it starts. Sounds sensible really.

**thomas** · 22/03/2006, 8:33 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

He seems to be implying that in the high tempo game, one of those "high tempo" tackles is sooner or later going to end being a leg-breaker, so better to nip it in the bud before it starts. Sounds sensible really.

Good point, but maybe he'd clarify (if possible?).

There's nothing wrong with tackles flying in though, once they're legal! Leg breakers tend to stop play all by themselves...