Question Number: 16024

Law 5 - The Referee 7/13/2007

Christian of phoenix, AZ US asks...

this might be a dumb question to ask but..
what's the difference between abadoning a match and forfeiting a match.

like if there's lightning and whatnot is that considered abandoned a match so that means no team wins and the game is rescheduled?

if a player violently attacks a ref does that mean the game is forfeited and the win goes to the oppossing team?

i need help with this one
thx guys

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Christian, you as a referee may terminate or abandon a game but have no power at all to declare a forfeit. If one side now has too few players to continue, you abandon the match and write a thorough report. You abandon a match for too few players or if the field or equipment do not conform to the Laws or are unsafe. Another reason to abandon a match is if a team leaves the field of play. You terminate a match due to safety reasons like lightning, interference by spectators or for serious breeches of the Law. In your examples you terminate for lighning and terminate for being attacked by a player. Check the latest Advice To Referees as it has a good explanation. Take home point is you never have the authority to declare a winner when stopping a game early.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If a player violently attacks the referee you must read, in the Referee Administrative Handbook, the section dealing with referee assault in order to properly submit your match report. It is a good idea to send a copy of the match report to local authorities so criminal action may be taken. A great number os states have statutes prohibiting attacks and/or assaults on sports officials. We all know when something gives a person pleasure he will continue that action and influence others to try doing it. Unless and until those actions create harm to the individual over and above the perceived pleasure of doing them they will be a source of entertainment that will not cease. A little jail time and a hefty fine is good for those choosing to assault a referee.

Regards,