In the NF Rules for Soccer, the referee is given specific duties to perform and leaves enormous powers at his disposal. The willingness and ability to use - or not use - those powers are equally important in the overall control of the game. Those powers are enormous, but not unlimited.
For example, the referee may not award an indirect free kick for a tripping foul under the pretext of "discretionary powers," because the NF Rules for Soccer specify a direct free kick to penalize tripping. When it comes to "advantage," the referee only has the power to take away an unfair advantage not to give an advantage.
The rules state that the referee "shall refrain from penalizing in cases where he is satisfied that by doing so he would be giving an advantage to the team that committed the foul."
By saying "Play On!" he is not actually giving advantage, he is merely allowing a team that has been fouled to keep the advantage of continuing play. At one time, the referee was not allowed to revoke the advantage of "Play On!" Now that no longer applies. It is now possible to revoke your decision if the "Play On!" does not lead to an advantage for the non-offending team within 2 or 3 seconds, provided the ball is still in play. The referee may now blow the whistle and bring the ball back to the spot of the original foul for a restart.
The referee must be sure that the "Play On!" clearly reflects an advantage to the non-offending team - not just the player who was fouled.
The advantage clause is an excellent example of the spirit of the rules, provided it is applied fairly and consistently. A "Play On!" given to a defending team inside its own penalty area with 110 yard to go and eleven opponent in the way does not constitute an advantage. The referee must "read" the game, including the age and skill level of the participants and their understanding and appreciation of the decision to "Play On!"
Finally, the "Play On!" should never become a license for serious foul play. In such instances the referee must penalize the offender as applicable, according to the rules, but he does not have to apply the punishment immediately. If appropriate, apply the "Play On!" and then award the Red Card to the offending player at the next stoppage in play.
© 1994, 2001 Francesco A. Scarsella, EMSOA Rules Interpreter