Question Number: 12701

Law 5 - The Referee 5/2/2006

RE: Local cup competition Under 19

Fenarc of Douglas, Isle of Man UK asks...

When a player has been injured specialy in the head area and the player is lying on the pitch holding his face and in pain.
The coaches and the players of the opponant team were shouting at the refree to have his attention and to our supprise the refree said play on and later he said " am playing advantage". is that right? Specialy when the player's face was covered with blood and had to be taken out. and to my surprise the refree didn't even bothered to come and ask about the safety of the player.

Was that right?

Happened for a match of under 19's yesterday

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Law 5 affords the referee the duty to stop the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensure he is removed from the field of play. Usually where the head is involved we think serious injury and stop things. Usually...

It all lays to the opinion of the match official. One cannot determine what was going through his head that day, until we get inside it. How was he doing that day? How many times had he stopped play only to find someone who should have tried out for the diving squad? How much ranting and raving was comming from the touchlines? Did he have assistant referees, club linesmen or was he a solo? Did the referee even turn around and look?

If he knew there was a player down and leaking from the head and DIDN'T stop the match, of course there is a problem. If he shut off outside influences (think ranting and raving) so he could not be made aware of a man down and leaking, yes there is a problem, but not completely the referee's. Many things to consider...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Fenarc,
I think the answer my colleague Ref Fleischer gave is spot on. A referee must always be concerned about player safety in fact all who participate or watch should be concerned. The problem is in pointing fingers of blame at the conduct of anyone, officials included, is not all things are as clear to some as to others. One could hope that a callous or vindictive nature is not a reason for showing a lack of concern or remorse.

I know that for myself if I missed an incident that created an injury I was often angry at myself and often defensive when people told me I should have done something when in fact I missed seeing the event for what it was! I believe no referee could knowingly look away from someone who is TRULY hurt but we could be mislead on how hurt that person was!

The referee could simply be trying to focus on the match, to prevent possible retailiation or holding his thoughts to himself. WE hope the player is well and no lasting injuries remain.
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 12758