Question Number: 22437

Law 5 - The Referee 11/4/2009

RE: Other

Brian Francis Higginson of Preston, Lancashire UK asks...

Referee has always been part of the field of play. Are there any times when he is on the field but not part of it.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brian Francis
The simple answer to you question is no. If the ball hits the referee it is just play on, same as hitting a goal post, crossbar, corner flag.
Referees are advised not to get into positions where contact with the ball creates a problem such as stopping the ball on the goal line preventing a goal!!

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Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Play is not stopped because the referee got in the way of the ball or the player (but referee's hate it when they do). An ideal referee position will not be a place the players want to use.

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Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The referee is a field condition but a smart referee minimizes such things by focusing and being alert to not interfere or be in the way at crucial moments!
Cheers

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