play the advantage

English

Referee Héctor Baldassi extends his arms to signal that he is playing the advantage

Alternative forms

• play advantage
• play an advantage

Verb

play the advantage (third-person singular simple present plays the advantage, present participle playing the advantage, simple past and past participle played the advantage)

1. (sports) To allow play to continue, that the referee doesn't whistle for a foul, despite the attacking team being fouled, because they are in an advantageous position.
   • 2011 September 24, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 3 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     Referee Mark Clattenburg played the advantage after Gretar Steinsson's challenge on Gervinho and Aaron Ramsey fed Van Persie, who shot low past Jaaskelainen.