Ruleside
New for 2026/27·Law 5·From 1 July 2026

Advantage After a Restart Taken Wrongly

A throw-in taken from the wrong place, a free kick struck while the ball was still rolling: if the other team benefits, the referee can now wave play on instead of calling it back.

Previous rule

A restart taken incorrectly was retaken, whatever happened next.

New rule

A restart taken incorrectly with the ball in play may be left alone if the opposing team benefits. Otherwise it is still retaken.

What changed

Law 5's advantage clause used to name one trigger, an offence. It now names two: an offence, or a restart incorrectly taken with the ball in play. The referee allows play to continue where the opposing team will benefit, and penalises the offence or orders the retake if the advantage does not ensue at that time or within a few seconds.

Why it matters

This is the change most likely to look like a mistake the first time you see it given. A foul throw that lands at an opponent's feet has always been called back, and calling it back rewards the team that took it wrongly. The new wording lets the referee leave the ball with the side that did nothing wrong. The test is not whether the restart was legal, it is whether the other team is better off than a retake would leave them.

Scenarios

Foul throw straight to an opponent

A player takes a throw-in with one foot clearly off the ground, and the ball goes straight to an opponent who runs with it.

Correct call: Play on. The throw was taken incorrectly, the ball is in play, and the opposing team has the ball.
Common mistake: Whistling for a foul throw and giving the ball to the team that has just been handed it anyway.
Verdict: play-on

Free kick struck while the ball is still rolling

A free kick is played quickly while the ball is still moving, and the kicking team keeps possession and works an opening.

Correct call: Order the retake. The advantage runs to the team that did not take the kick, and here they gained nothing.
Common mistake: Reading the new clause as a general permission to ignore a bad restart. The benefit has to fall to the opponents.
Verdict: retake
The law
Law 5 · 3. Powers and duties
allows play to continue when an offence occurs, or a restart is incorrectly taken and the ball is in play, and the opposing team will benefit from the advantage, and penalises the offence/orders a retake if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time or within a few seconds