FUTSAL

94 LAW 5 – The RefereesThe advantage is not permitted for infringements of the four-second rule,unless the infringement is committed by the goalkeeper in controlling the ballwhen it is already in play in his own half of the pitch, and if he loses possessionof the ball. In the remaining cases: free kicks, kick-ins, goal clearances andcorner kicks, the referees cannot apply the advantage.The referees should consider the following circumstances in deciding whetherto apply the advantage or stop play:• The severity of the offence: if the infringement warrants an expulsion,the referees must stop play and send off the player unless there is anopportunity to score a goal• The position where the offence was committed: the closer to the opposinggoal, the more effective it can be• The chances of an immediate, promising attack• The infringement committed must not be a team’s sixth or greateraccumulated foul, unless there is an opportunity to score a goal• The atmosphere of the matchThe decision to penalise the original offence must be taken within a fewseconds, but it is not possible to go back if the corresponding signal has notpreviously been given or a new passage of play has been allowed.If the offence warrants a caution, it must be issued at the next stoppage.However, unless there is a clear advantage, it is recommended that thereferees stop play and caution the player immediately. If the caution is notissued at the next stoppage, it cannot be shown later.If an infringement requires play to be restarted with an indirect free kick, thereferees must apply the advantage to ensure that play flows, provided thatthis does not lead to any retaliation and is not prejudicial to the team againstwhich the offence was committed.