just had a USSF clinic...

[Nevadaref]

This "idea" comes from the South American and Mexican referees. It has been advocated following awarding a penalty kick. If you watch some of the pro games from those areas, you will see the referee make the call and then proceed off the field over the goal line about where the goal area intersects the goal line on the opposite side of the goal from where the AR will be positioned for the PK.

The rationale was the same as you have stated, that if the players follow the referee to continue to argue, they could be sanctioned for leaving the field without the permission of the referee.

I've thought for several years that this is just silly and looks cowardly. If the referee doesn't have enough strength and respect to control the players on the pitch, then running away and trying to hide behind a technicality isn't going to help.

A very poor technique in my opinion.