Question Number: 25476

Law 5 - The Referee 9/22/2011

RE: Rec,Competive Other

Ruben Castaneda Jr of Reedley, California USA asks...

What happens when the cases is that their is only one referee and officiating the game and he ends up getting hurt? What happens the game is it called of or does the referee has to continue the game despite his injury?
Thank You for your time.
Ruben Castaneda Jr.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Ruben:

If the sole referee is unable to finish the match, the match should be abandoned. Obviously, some injuries are minor and the referee will be able to complete the match. But, no referee is compelled to finish when injured. Do not risk making something worse.

We live in a world in which most have cell phones. The injured referee should call the assignor from the field, and explain what happened. Sometimes the assignor has someone nearby who can finish the match. All assignors will appreciate being informed promptly.

What happens next (replay or not) is an issue for the league. It is not for the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ruben
If a referee cannot continue because of the injury then the game is abandoned unless there is another certified official present that can take over the refereeing duties or that the referee assignor can get a referee at short notice to get to the ground quickly to complete the match. It would be unfair though to have players wait around for any length of time so unless the referee was close at hand and readily available that option may not be available.
The most common outcome is that the game is abandoned and the referee reports the situation to the league organisers who decide what should happen next. Some League operate a competition rule that when the game passes a certain time say like 80 minutes that the result will stand in the case of a game being abandoned for weather , referee injury .
A number of seasons ago I tore a calf muscle with some 15 minutes to go. I decided to see the game out yet as you can imagine I was resigned to walking/hopping around the centre of the field. Both sides were understanding and the game was completed without problem although it did not help my injury as I did try at times to run in pain.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No referee may be forced to continue if he/she is injured and does not believe can continue. Likewise, I know no referee that would abandon a match for a slight injury. I tore my left calf off the bone in the first half of a U16 Girls match some years back and finished the match. I could not work the next game and found a fellow referee in the stands that took my place as neither of the ARs were qualified to be the center referee. I believe it was a U17 Boys Select match.