What is the referee's decision when A3 deflects a shot into the goal from an offside position?

The correct decision in this scenario is to disallow the goal due to offside. According to the Laws of the Game, a player is in an offside position if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent (usually the last outfield player) at the moment the ball is played to them. If A3 deflects a shot into the goal while in an offside position, the goal cannot count.

Cautioning a player for unsporting conduct is not appropriate in this situation because the primary factor is the offside violation. Offside is a tactical foul rather than something that would typically warrant a caution. Therefore, the decision to allow the goal as well as cautioning A3 does not align with the rules clearly established in soccer regarding offside play. The referee's primary responsibility is to enforce the Laws of the Game accurately, which includes disallowing goals resulting from an offside position.

Similarly, while checking with the assistant referee can be a good practice in tight situations, the call about offside is generally a clear-cut decision that the referee can make without needing to consult the assistant. Cautioning another player, such as A1, for an unrelated action does