Question Number: 15873

Law 5 - The Referee 6/23/2007

RE: Rec College

Jonathan Thiessen of Steinbach, Manitoba Canada asks...

In official games broadcasted on video, is it legal for a ref or other official to verify the footage before making a decision?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jonathan,
at the moment no! The soccer elite govermental policy makers will use video after a match to further punish or fine a player or coach for something a referee did not see but during a match there is no review or for that matter not even a replay in allowed to be shown in the stadium where the game is being played.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There was a huge discussion of this before the World Cup 2006. Bottom line there is going to be no use of technology until it is instantaneous and unfallible. The referee acting on his own is right ever so much more than wrong.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

No, a referee can not review a video to make a decision, and never should be able. It is very rare a referee makes a mistake, and football is a flowing game. It is not a start stop game that lends itself to video technology such as Rugby, American football or Cricket. These are set plays that have natural breaks in play. Football is not. If a team hits the bar it comes out and the officials decide that the ball didn't cross the line within 15 sconds the other team could be up the other end scoring. Why would I want to stop the game and start again with a drop bal to have a look at a video. Even officiating with these guys, it amazes me how EPL officials make so many correct calls at such a speed.

Regards

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Ummmm. No. And I would strongly appose a push for that. American football has that and that's all well and good for them. But that game has designed within it pauses in play. Soccer does not. You start and play your butt off for 45 minutes. Then you get a break. Then you start and play your butt off for another 45 minutes and hope to God that you don't have to play 30 more just to satisfy "must play" overtime rules. Do referees make mistakes -- yep. and so do players. and so do coaches. This beautiful game has the element of humanity which no other game has -- that of imperfection.