Question Number: 27090

Law 5 - The Referee 12/30/2012

RE: FA level 2 High School

james of doha, qatar asks...

thank you for this forum;who takes the field when the ref is injured and can't continue?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi James
It is usually the senior assistant referee who takes over the refereeing duties provided he has the certification to cover the game. It should be discussed in the pre match.
The referee if he can continue will take up the role as a linesman with the other assistant doing likewise. Offside and ball in and out of play at the goal line then becomes decisions for the referee with whatever assistance the two 'linesmen' can give. If the referee cannot continue then a club person acts as 'lineman' doing ball in and out of play only.
If a suitably qualified referee is present at the game he can take over assistant referee duties with the senior assistant becoming referee.
At the Pro level the 4th official takes over as referee. If the referee can continue as 4th official then he will do so. If not the 4th official duties are dispensed with and they are carried out by the referee and assistant referee on the technical area side.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This should be covered in the pre game. If I don't know my ARs well, I'll go over their experience and comfort level and appoint one to take over for me if anything happens and I cannot continue in the middle. Hopefully I will be able to finish as an AR, but we go over what's important to watch for if only working with one AR