Question Number: 19528

Mechanics 6/27/2008

RE: Any Adult

Jon of Houston, TX USA asks...

What exactly is the procedure if an AR realizes that the center referee is making an error with regard to the laws of the game? Just, for example, sending off a keeper for DOGSO and awarding a PK for a keeper handling a pass-back from a defender. If the AR cannot get his/her attention by holding a flag up is it permissable to simply dash out onto the field to have a conference before the ball is put back into play (which would be needed to be done quickly, after all once play starts again, what is done is done), or would another method be preferable?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If the flag doesn't work, call out the ref's name to get his attention. If that doesn't work, then run out onto the field. If that doesn't work, you might as well give up and go home because this referee is too clueless to pay attention to the AR's, and the game is going in the dumper.

You are correct, the error has to be fixed before the restart is allowed to happen, or else the ref has to live with it. And then the game is protestable.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

H Jon,
the referee MAKES the FINAL match decision reguarding facts of play.
The Assistant referee is there to ASSIST the referee achieve a CORRECT match decision reguarding facts of play.

The AR has a duty to inform a referee about anything he sees or knows about, especially a fact of play which the AR KNOWS is incorrect or match affecting.

The referee can choose to ignore the AR information but the AR must make that information available for the referee to make an informed decision.

Aside from the 2nd last opponent responsibility the next biggy for me is as AR do not let the referee mess up! In the pregame discuss such things, mirror flag with the other AR pointing to the AR with the flag up, EYE CONTACT after a call is made and before any restart is permitted.
How about come onto the field and call him by name!
One could hit him along side his head with the flag for not getting eye contact but you better be sure you needed to do that! ;o)
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The assistant referee is there to assist, not insist. HOWEVER there are times when the need to insist manifest themselves.

1. When a goal is scored that should not be accepted, or the opposite.

2. When the referee has cautioned or sent off the wrong player.

3. When the referee has cautioned the same player twice and has not sent him off.

4. When the referee is about to take or has taken a decision impossible under the Laws.

The assistant must make every, and all, effort to rectify these errors before play restarts. At the highest levels of competition beep flags and radio communications assist in getting information to the referee but the need for a face to face conversation is still there. In the trenches where we find most referees needing help the assistant is not equipped in the same manner but he still has a voice. Use it and use it loudly, call the referees name, go onto the field and if necessary reach out and touch the referee on the shoulder and give him the information you have. From there it's his match, his decision and his reputation at stake. You have done your job, assisted him in making his decision.

Remember the assistant is there to assist, not insist. Insisting the referee has specific information in order to arrive at a correct decision is proper. Once the referee has the information, insisting he take a specific decision is not proper.

In your specific case what I would say to the referee is this:

Jon, sending off offence number 4 excepts the goalkeeper within his own penalty area. What he has done is commit an indirect free kick offence. Your decision to send the keeper off and award a penalty is not supported in Law.

Once he has that information he's on his own. He will either rescind the sending off and award an indirect free kick or place the match into dispute that if a protest is lodged the match might be over turned and replayed.

Regards,