Question Number: 27410

Law 7 - Match Duration 5/7/2013

RE: Competitive Adult

Leo of Parkland, FL USA asks...

It is the last game of the regular season in a highly competitive open men's league that could determine opponents for the playoff games. Both teams (Red and White) are playing a meaningless rubber and are just going through the motions, passing the ball around, joking, and not attacking. The first half ends with Red leading 1-0.

During the half-time interval and right after the beginning of the second half, I hear many requests from Red team players to end the game early, i.e., to play for only 30 or 35 minutes. Play continues with players literally walking during play. A Red player falls to the ground near the touchline on his own claiming an injury to his leg while play was stopped for a corner kick. The player is lying on the touch line and rolls over in 'pain' effectively leaving the field of play. I whistled to stop the corner and go over to the player to check on his injury. The White team captain then tells me that his team wants to forfeit the game and end the game at that point. I confirm this request with the White team's coach. White team at this point was losing 0-1. The Red team captain and coach also inform me that they would also like to stop playing and that they accept the White forfeit.

What would a wise referee do at this point?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Leo
If neither team want to continue then I would terminate the game and report the matter to the League concerned including the full details in the match report. This will assist the competition authority in deciding what action to take.
I would inform the teams clearly that only the competition organiser has the authority to declare a winner, accept a forfeit etc and that the referee has no responsibility whatsoever in that matter.
I would also ensure that both teams fully understand that there could be competition rules which their action contravenes and that there is no hope of the 'agreement' being recinded by either team after the event. That can only be judged by the referee on the day based on his discussion with the coaches. I might call the match assignor or league secretary to inform him of the situation so that there is a 4th party to the decision.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Some leagues have penalties for teams not playing games; these might also apply to teams that voluntarily leave the field before the game is over. But that's not your concern as referee.

Confirm that the team will not send enough players to the field to continue. If so, terminate it and write it up for the league to decide.