Question Number: 22955

Law 5 - The Referee 3/16/2010

RE: Silver Under 13

Andy of Coquitlam, BC Canada asks...

I coach a girls soccer team. We were recently in a regular league game for first place in our division with another team. These games are refereed by 14-15 year old kids with parent volunteer assistant referees to run the lines.. At the half, the referee abandoned the game as she could not continue the game. There was rumour about it being due to harassment from the other teams coaches and parents. Another referee is called in to finish the game and the results are submitted. We lost 2-0. Several weeks later, the league decides the game must be replayed. No reasons are given at this point. The other coach is understandably upset. We are the beneficiaries of the leagues decision in that we get another opportunity to win the division. What are the rules regarding referee abandonment and the ability of coaches to "call in" another referee to finish a game?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Law 5 permits a referee to abandon the match and report the circumstances to the league. Normally, if a referee is unable to complete the match for any reason, one of the certified assistant referees or fourth official who had been assigned to the match will take over as referee. But, the ability of one or both coaches to 'call in another referee' is not in the laws, though it would be up to the league to determine the appropriate response should it happens.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Andy
The referee can abandon the game for any reason and he/she then reports the matter to the relevant authority. In this case as the match was abandoned, as supposed to the referee not being able to continue for injury reasons, sickness etc, the match should not have been completed. Coaches have no standing in 'calling in' another referee in an abandoned game.
If the referee say in an injury situation noticed that a colleague was present he/she could ask that referee to complete the game, provide the colleague with all the match details and report the facts to the relevant authority after the game. I have seen that happen but that can't happen on an abandonment.
Also the referee that was 'called in' to the game may not have been fully aware of the facts and he/she could have been compromised by this situation and may have not been aware of the 'real' reason for being asked to officiate. Also who informs him/her of the score, cautions etc.
IMO as someone previously involved in League administration a replay IMO is the correct decision.The league IMO is entitled to order a replay on a half time abandonment plus sanctions should also be taken against those responsible.
Personally if the match was abandoned for harrassment of a young match official I find that intolerable and I have no sympathy whatsoever for those involved in that behaviour.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Unless the League has some bizarre rule concerning abandoned games, your game was over when the referee abandoned it. At that point, you all should have gone home and the referee would write a report and let the League figure out what to do next. Coaches are not allowed to go get another referee to finish an abandoned game. Simply cannot. If it was abandoned due to harassment of this young referee by the 'winning' teams coaches and parents, I'm glad you have to play the game over. These adults should be ashamed and punished.