Question Number: 19426

Mechanics 6/16/2008

Aaron of Chicago, IL USA asks...

I know FIFA is very against the dual system of control (two referees with whistles and shared authority), but what do you actually think about it? If only two officials are available for a match, do you think it would be best do use this system or would it be better to do it the proposed way of one referee and one assistant?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Given the option one referee should go home and to absolutely unqualified people should be asked to be club linesmen. That's how I feel about the dual system of control. Saying a dual system of control is worth something valuable is not too far from saying because I can't get a date for Saturday night I'll ask my neighbor's dog Labrador Retriever if she's not too busy for a dinner and a movie and hope I get lucky.

Do I have an opinion? You betchum Red Ryder. Do what the Referee Administrative Handbook orders and forget the Dual system of control. So Fox isn't going to sell as many whistles, The Game is the better for it.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

No.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The dual can only work if both people are used to working one, are VERY fit (because they will need to run their asses off to be where they need to be), and have similar styles of refereeing. Having said that, I am forever of the opinion that a referee and one AR is far superior to a dual system of control (two referees on the field with a whistle each). Even just a referee is preferable, 99 times out of 100. Duals can be fun on easy games with old refereeing friends with whom you've worked hundreds of times, but if the game is AT ALL competitive, you're sunk. There is no way to be where you need to be all of the time, and the middle of the field and the offside suffer, as does the game. And that, my friend, is the problem - duals are not good for the game.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I would rather have 1 AR and either a club linesman or no AR on the other end of the field rather than use 2 referees each with a whistle.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I would rather referee as a single referee. Then no team can claim anything or anyone is unfair but me. Personally I do not like club ARs as they are generally parents who should be watching their kids play. Sometimes there are willing and good people who offer to help and in these cases I ask 3 or 4 very specific questions and I best get 3 or 4 very good answers.
Cheers