Question Number: 22599

Law 5 - The Referee 11/30/2009

RE: INTERMADIATE Adult

STEPHEN of BELFAST, N/IRELAND asks...

WHEN THE REF ABANDONS THE GAME AND SUBMITS HIS REPORT AS IT STATES ON THE IFA OFFICIAL REPORT FORM THAT IT MUST BE SENT TWO DAYS AFTER THE MATCH COULD YOU TELL ME PLEASE IS THIS LAW MUST IT BE DONE THANK YOU

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You would have to ask your league or FA what procedures they wish referees to follow regarding misconduct and abandoned games. If their form says 2 days, they probably mean 2 days.

This would not be covered in the Laws of the Game. Law 5 simply says that the referee 'provides the appropriate authorities with a match report, which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players and/or team officials and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match.'

Not using all upper case and using proper punctuation makes questions much easier to read.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Stephen
When a match is abandoned the League authorities require a report of why the game was abandoned and League want those reports promptly.
So many reports are requested to be sent within 2/3 days of the game. If it is delayed for genuine reasons then exceptions can and are made. The important part is that the report is submitted and the League then deal with the matter promptly.
The same would apply to match cards and yet how many referees stick to the policy?