Question Number: 15624

Law 5 - The Referee 5/27/2007

RE: Competitive Adult

Ryan of Flower Mound, TX U.S.A. asks...

Dear Referee Panel,

I hope this question does not jinx any of our fellow referees. Is there a guide with instructions on how to handle injuries to officials in the middle of a match where an official is unable to continue the match? What are the mechanics if a Center, AR1, or AR2 go down in the middle of a match with or without a fourth official present. In dealing with bleeding, must officials be removed to stop any bleeding and remove any clothing with blood?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the center referee cannot continue, the 4th official usually takes his spot. In some not-quite-at-the-top levels, the 4th official is a somewhat ceremonial position, and would only take over for one of the AR's.

In a game without a 4th, or with a lesser-qualified 4th, AR1 would take over for the center.

If one of the AR's go down, a club line is recruited. Or the 4th official is used, if there is one. In the last World Cup, there was a 5th official appointed to the games who would take over for one of the AR's.

Blood issues apply to referees as well as players. After all, the reason for the rules regarding blood are to prevent the spread of contagion. That can happen no matter who is bleeding.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Usually the 4th official resumes the position of the referee. If the 4th official is not qualified, then AR1 takes that posion and a club linesmen is used for the other AR2 spot. Referees bleeding should fix their wound just as a player would.