Question Number: 28056

League Specific 12/10/2013

RE: school Under 13

vchavez of reedley, ca usa asks...

This game was for the playoffs. 2 refs are suppose to be on the field. 1 ref did not show up on time so a high school aged kid took his place. Then about 15 min into the 1st half the original ref shows up. Can a game be stopped just to sub a ref?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
It would be unusual to start in the 1st place to start without an 'official' 2nd referee. However there is nothing to prevent the replacement of a referee in the game at any time and it does happen through injury, sickness etc.
I suspect that there was communication that the referee was on his way and would arrive late. Perhaps the game needed to start on time due to available light and getting the game finished on time.
I also believe that if the teams were unhappy with the use of the 'stand in' referee the game would not have started until the 2nd referee arrived.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

What to do will depend on the league rules. Some leagues provide for a substitute referee to be found. Others require that the game will be rescheduled, usually at the away team's site and convenience.

Swapping in a late-arriving referee probably should not be done. The referee sets the tone of the game - for example, what level of physicality is allowed and expected today. Changing the referee midstream will change that. However, in some instances such as your game that was using a dual ref system, that can be managed by the other referee who was there for the whole game setting the lead.