Question Number: 25473

The Fourth Official 9/21/2011

RE: Refereeing Executive. Professional

Nazeer of Singapore, Singapore Singapore asks...

Is their a specific distance between the 4th Official dugout and the teams Technical Area?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Nazeer
There is no specific distance and each stadium will have its own solution which will be agreed with the competition organisers and its inspectors. Indeed some stadia has no set area and the 4th official simply operates from an area between the two teams' technical area.
Ideally the 4th Official area should be close to both areas and provide the official with storage area for balls, equipment, paperwork and some protection from inclement weather.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The distance between the two bench areas is not specified in the appendix to the laws of the game (although it provides that the technical area for each team extends one yard beyond the benches).

The rules of competition often recommend that there be ten meters between benches, and place each bench 5 meters on either side of the halfway line. (E.g., the FIFA Football Stadium Technical Recommendations and Requirements.)