Question Number: 23042

Law 5 - The Referee 3/30/2010

RE: Select Under 14

Dave of Mt. Vernon, WA USA asks...

Center and 1 AR are present at game time. Rather than ask for another linesman they decide to use dual referees, both coaches are notified and agree. Game is played to 2 overtimes and shootout, home team wins. At that point home team coach is notified the game will be protested on the grounds the diagonal system was not used and dual referees doesn't did not follow the rules.The ruling authority will decide in the next couple of days as whether it will be upheld. What are your thoughts?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
It depends on whether the dual system was permitted for this game or not. It is not a decision for the referees or coaches to make if it is not allowed and the coaches should only be informed not their agreement sought for the decision.
I would never agree anything with teams that is not allowed or not in the competition rules. Coaches do change their minds depending on the outcome and then they can say that they did not understand the rule or that they did not know they had a choice not to play etc etc.
Personally I think it is sour grapes on behalf of the losing team.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The dual system is not allowed to be used in games played under the authority of USSF. These referees should be brought to task for using an unauthorized system.

However most league rules would not have anything to say about the method of refereeing used in the game. If it did, the rule would be general along the lines of using a center referee and two assistant referees. The rule might then describe the procedure to follow if any of these positions were not filled - for example, recruit a club linesman to fill in for the missing AR. The rule might also say that a missing referee could be replaced by a person acceptable to both teams, and that this person becomes the referee of record for the game and his/her decisions stand.

If I were on the protest committee, my first question would be, 'How did using a dual system contribute to the outcome of the game?' If there is no adequate response to that question, my vote would be to allow the game results to stand.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is a big deal for referees in a USSF affiliated match to use the dual system; it is a forbidden system of control. I would expect that the referees at best would forfeit their game fees, and at worst would be subject to a disciplinary hearing.

Whether the league will order the match replayed is for the Protest Committee to decide. At the highest levels, they would likely order the match replayed since the match was not played in accordance with Law 5. At other levels, however, the league may decide to leave both coaches (who should not have agreed to a dual) in the box they selected.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The dual referee system is absolutely forbidden by USSF and should never be used in any USSF or FIFA rules game. Further, the Washington State League 2009-2010 Rules and Guidebook has this to say;

301.6 Officiating
(a) A referee shall be appointed to officiate each game with the authority assigned to him as specified in the 'Laws of the Game' (FIFA). Officiating of all games will be governed by the Rules of Play and the Rules of Competition.
(b) All referees assigned to any game of the Commissioners' Cup or the State Championships must be assigned by a licensed referee assignor through a recognized referee association/chapter.
(c) Failure of a scheduled referee to show up will not be the cause for canceling the match. A substitute official must be chosen upon agreement by both coaches and his decisions will be final.

and this

Missing Officials
If an assigned referee fails to appear at the scheduled field fifteen minutes after the scheduled game start time, teams may agree on a substitute referee.
 All decisions of the referee will be final.
 Make sure that the name of the substitute referee is noted on your game roster sheet before you leave the field.
If the teams are not able to agree on a suitable substitute referee:
 Inform one of the League Administrator listed on page 2 on the game day that the game was not played.
 If the Administrator agrees to a reschedule, the visiting team may choose the location of the game.

and

Your sponsoring club or association is responsible for assigning three-person referee teams to all your home games.

finally

(a) A referee shall be assigned to officiate each game with the authority assigned as specified in the ?Laws of the Game? (FIFA).
(b) If possible, the Referee Assignor will be responsible for scheduling properly registered and qualified referees and assistant referees.
(c) If assistant referees cannot be scheduled, each team must provide one (1) person to act as club linemen, if the referee wishes.

This game should have been played with one club linesman or just the one AR as the Rules state. There's no question in my mind that when the proper authorities find out what happened the game will have to be replayed and the referees will be disciplined