Question Number: 12707

Law 5 - The Referee 5/2/2006

Jim of Boston, USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12664

What I meant was, should the game have been stopped until the referee felt confident that the field was safe? Stopping play to pick up some glass and then continuing to play, only to keep picking it up as play continues would seem unsafe to me. Furthermore, the referee obviously felt there was still glass on the field as he instructed the next teams to walk the field. I understand it's a judgement call, but I think by his actions the referee was not convinced all the glass was picked up and should have stopped play until he felt it was safe to continue play. By allowing play to continue he put the players at risk. I am new to refereeing, and I would have done it differently. I was questioning his actions for my own personal development as a referee.

Also, I understand that everytime I see a pop top, piece of glass, etc, it doesn't warrant stopping play. This case was an excessive amount of glass over a fairly large area of the field.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Yes !
in the original answer to Question 12664 we indicated that could be a good first option? As you say if in your opinion, as a referee if you are concerned with safety you would act to stop and have someone fix the problem then that is what you need to do! If the problem can not be fixed to your satisfaction you do not continue!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The condition of the pitch is the referees call. If he feels it is unsafe then there is no match until the safety issues are corrected. It is that simple. Never bow to another referee when you have made a decision regarding safety. When you are the match official it is your responsibility whether you are on your first match or 4oooth.

When you see a pop top, a bottle top or the like pick it up and put it in a pocket. When there is a debris field the size of Titanic's let the league fix things, the match can start later or on a different day. Be safe. Ain't no fun digging glass out of everyone who falls in that area.

Regards,