Question Number: 27158

Mechanics 2/7/2013

RE: Rec, Competitive Under 13

James of Mobile, AL USA asks...

This has been bugging me ever since UEFA started adding the 'Fifth Officials', the 'additional assistant referees' as a substitute for goal-line technology.

Why are the goal-line ARs on the same side of the goal as the assistant referees, and not on the other side?

In other words, aren't the goal-line ARs getting the same angle as the touch-line ARs?

If the touch-line ARs were on the other side of the goal (closer to the corner opposite the AR), wouldn't this give them a completely UNIQUE angle on the game? If I recall, Henry's dubious handling against the Republic of Ireland was committed at an angle away from both the referee and the touch-line AR, so I think if the goal-line AR were placed at my suggested angle, this handling could've been spotted!

I wouldn't see this interfering with the touch-line AR's line of sight for offside, as he will see the goal-line AR regardless. Furthermore, wouldn't it actually be easier for a touch-line AR at my suggested position to be able to judge ball in and out (the touch-line AR would have to squint and judge from a position much farther away!).

So, I really can't think of an explanation as to the current fifth official placement.

Can anyone solve this mystery for me?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi James
When the AAR experiment was 1st introduced the extra officials were on the left of the goal on the opposite side from the AR.
http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/27/62/02/circularno1226-additionalassistantreferees.pdf

The notion was introduced that the CR would have to change his patrol path (off the traditonal diagonal) to a new path that resembled an S shape. See photo on this blog http://refarbiter.wordpress.com/tag/fifa-experiment-with-referees/
That meant that the CR would be centre right of the penalty area so that he could then keep both assistants in view.
However, at its 125th Annual General Meeting of IFAB which took place in Wales on March 5, 2011, IFAB decided to approve "the proposal to move the AAR's [Additional Assistant Referee's] position from left to right."
The former patrol path it is understood caused many problems for referees as
1. It brought the CR in game 'traffic'
2. It went against years of training and it was only used in games with AARs.
IFAB's decision cleared the way for UEFA to move the AARs to the right side and referees went back to the traditional diagonal system which is where we are at now.
The project is still developing and other countries have introduced the system for all Pro games namely Italy and Belgium.
So your points are well made and a great deal has been written about this. No doubt it has been discussed at length as part of the experiment at the highest level. We have not been privy to the exact reasoning in regard to the decision to change. We can only assume that as the key role was goal line decision (which may become redundant at the highest level with technology) that the AAR was moved so as to not affect the CR's in his normal game.
My personal opinion is that the AAR is still best placed on the left.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Only time will tell. IFAB wants to make sure goals are actually scored or not, but do not want the CR impeded in any way.

It may take another 5 years to iron out all the bugs