I thought it hit his back!
I don't say this to argue it was a good decision, just to clarify; it was during the fall, not when it was kicked against his back:
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I thought it hit his hand as he fell, but the ref signaled for an advantage to Spurs as their player fell. If there is no advantage because the Spurs player handled surely the game should restart with a free kick to Spurs?
What a daft rule that is – In my opinion, the referee acknowledged the foul by waving advantage, however no advantage was ever possible once the ball is deemed to hit the arm/hand. In view of this that is surely denial of a goal scoring opportunity, so a free kick and red card should have been the decision – It may seem harsh bit if you want to apply the letter of the law you can’t have it both ways!
Nah, There used to be this policy or practice that once the ref has signalled he is playing advantage, he can't bring it back, but I'm sure I've seen them wave, and then realise that there is no advantage so pull it back anyway. But even with that in mind, because play continued enough they were able to get a clear shot away, the advantage was played and it can't come back.
It's frustrating, I think, because of the Man U goal against us (at old trafford) where the ball hit maguire's arm and it's not chalked off. Those defending this decision defend it because that is what the rule is, and how it has been applied, but there is clearly an example of it not being applied.
ADVANTAGE
allows play to continue when an offence occurs and the non-offending team will benefit from the advantage and penalises the offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time or within a few seconds