Question Number: 25839

League Specific 12/17/2011

RE: Adult

Anthony cavacece of Abbotsford, Bc Canada asks...

We were playing a game today and were up 1-0 at half time we both went to our respecte sides. The other team called te ref over and apparently according to the ref threatened him so the red red carded the player and called the game as a forfeit. Turns out the league is saying we have to play 2/3 of a game or it has to be replayed. So my question is if a ref calls a game as a forfeit and tells us the game is over do we have to replay the game we were winning or do we get awarded a win? Any references to FDA rules would help. Thanks!!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Nowhere in the world can a referee award a win when a game is abandoned. All the referee may do is write a thorough report and send it to the proper authorities. They will decide what transpires next. Your League has a rule requiring 2/3 of a game be played to result in a final score. The referee abandoned your game after 1/2 had been completed so it must be replayed in it's entirety.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Anthony
Referees can never decide that a game is a forfeit. That is a matter for the League authority to deal with. The referee simply abandons the game, reports the incident and allows the League to deal with it.
When a game is abandoned the League usually has in its rules provision that decides what should be done in these situations. I have seen everything including full replays, playing the remainder of the time with the score, game awarded to the no fault team, fixture annulled etc in dealing with these situation.
If the League says that it is a replay then so be it.