Question Number: 24649

League Specific 3/4/2011

RE: Amateur Adult

Damien of Dublin, Ireland asks...

If a game is abandoned due to heavy fog after 62mins with the scoreline at 3-0 and the opposing team down to 10 men, and calling for an abandonment, does the result stand as more than 60mins had been completed?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Damien
The Laws of the Game state that an abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules provide otherwise.
So unless your League has a competition rule that states otherwise or states that the result stands after an expired time limit or that the remaining minutes will be played or whatever then it is likely that an abandoned game will be replayed.
Where there is no local rule then national rules usually apply, in this case the FAI's Rules. As regards FAI rules it states that 'if a team refuses to play a match or refuses to continue playing one which it has begun, it shall be sanctioned with a fine and shall forfeit the match''.
It makes no reference to any other situations so in the absence of a local rule the match must be replayed due to conditions outside the control of the teams.
It is likely though that a dismissed player in abandoned game will be dealt with by the disciplinary body, while cautions may be annulled. Again that is a decision for the disciplnary body based on the competition rules, if any.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

This is often a matter addressed by local league rules. Some rules simply let the Disciplinary Committee decide.

In the absence of a rule of competition, however, an abandoned match is replayed in its entirety.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 26275