Assistant referee (association football)
Encyclopedia
In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen (or lineswomen if they are female), stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee. A fifth official may be assigned as a replacement should one official be unable to continue.
During the game one assistant referee oversees one touch-line and one end of the field utilising the diagonal system of control
. The more senior of the two assistants will normally occupy the side of the field containing the technical areas, in order to help oversee substitutions. An assistant referee indicates matters to the referee (usually initially by raising his flag, but nowadays also by wireless communication devices, which can include "buzzer flags" and in the most senior games, additionally a microphone and headset link, which the referee may then act upon.)
Assistant referees were formerly called linesmen. In 1996, the name was changed, primarily to better reflect the modern role of these officials, and secondarily to become non-gender specific. They are also sometimes incorrectly referred to as "referee's assistants". However the term "linesman" is still commonly used.
Law 6 of the Laws of the Game outlines the general duties of the assistant referees, however their duties in a given game remain subject to the decision of the referee. These duties usually include indicating:
An assistant referee may also be called upon by the referee to provide an opinion regarding matters which the referee requires clarification on. Occasionally the assistant referee will assist in player management during free kicks, as well as provide visual assistance during penalty kicks. The assistant referees also usually assist the referee with preparatory and administrative functions.
, have been started to make place for an additional two assistant referees to be added to the game, positioned behind the goal lines, in order to "ensure that the Laws of the Game are upheld, informing the referee of incidents of any kind that he may otherwise have missed, particularly in key areas of the field like the penalty area and its surroundings," but only informing the referee of their observings through a wireless communication system. The trial will be evaluated by IFAB technical experts.
The fourth official is a recent addition to the officiating crew. English referee and administrator Ken Aston
introduced the practice of having a named replacement referee in 1966, but the International Football Association Board
(IFAB) did not officially create the position until 1991, and listed only areas of responsibility. The fourth official is simply instructed to assist the referee at all times, and his duties are largely at the discretion of the referee. His usual duties can be broadly divided into assisting functions and a replacement function (see below).
The fourth official typically has a table a short distance from the touchline between the two teams' technical areas, however his positioning is not defined by the Laws of the Game.
In usual practice, the fourth official assists the referee in the following ways:
In practice, the fourth official becomes a key member of the officiating team, who can watch the field and players and advise the Referee on situations that are going on out of his sight. The fourth official keeps an extra set of records, and helps make sure the Referee does not make a serious error such as cautioning
the wrong player, or giving two cautions to the same player and forgetting to send off
the player.
The fourth official played a significant role in the 2006 World Cup Final when fourth official Luis Medina Cantalejo
informed referee Horacio Elizondo
of the headbutt of France
's Zinedine Zidane
against Marco Materazzi
, resulting in Elizondo showing Zidane a red card and sending him from the field. French manager Raymond Domenech
accused Cantalejo of using the replay board to initiate the process that led to Zidane's ejection, which would have broken FIFA rules, but FIFA maintained that Cantalejo did not breach any rules and acted properly.
The fourth official serves as a replacement official in the event that one of the other officials (referee or assistant referees) cannot continue officiating (usually through injury).
In situations where an assistant referee is unable to continue, the fourth official replaces that assistant referee. In situations where the referee is unable to continue, the fourth official replaces the referee directly, or the senior assistant referee replaces the referee, with the fourth official in turn taking an assistant's position. Competition rules are supposed to clarify which of these options is to occur. If for some reason it is not stated, then typically the official with the most refereeing experience (either the fourth official or the senior assistant referee) will replace the referee.
For matches in the 2006 World Cup, FIFA
assigned five officials. When five officials are assigned, the fourth official will only take over for the referee. If an assistant referee needs to be replaced, the fifth official will take over that position.
For the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, where the extra official was first introduced, if an assistant referee could not carry on his duties, the fifth official was to be the primary replacement, whereas the fourth official was the referee's primary replacement.
In addition to the referee and his two assistants, an extra official is placed behind the goal at either end. The system earned mixed reviews in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League, with its critics pointing to an incident during Fulham’s home tie with Roma as proof that the experiment added little to the game.
General duties
All decisions by the assistant referee are only advisory to the referee; assistants do not actually make binding decisions.During the game one assistant referee oversees one touch-line and one end of the field utilising the diagonal system of control
Diagonal system of control
The diagonal system of control is the system of positioning used by match officials in association football...
. The more senior of the two assistants will normally occupy the side of the field containing the technical areas, in order to help oversee substitutions. An assistant referee indicates matters to the referee (usually initially by raising his flag, but nowadays also by wireless communication devices, which can include "buzzer flags" and in the most senior games, additionally a microphone and headset link, which the referee may then act upon.)
Assistant referees were formerly called linesmen. In 1996, the name was changed, primarily to better reflect the modern role of these officials, and secondarily to become non-gender specific. They are also sometimes incorrectly referred to as "referee's assistants". However the term "linesman" is still commonly used.
Law 6 of the Laws of the Game outlines the general duties of the assistant referees, however their duties in a given game remain subject to the decision of the referee. These duties usually include indicating:
- When the whole ball has passed outside the field of playAssociation football pitchAn association football pitch is the playing surface for the game of association football made of turf. Its dimensions and markings are defined by Law 1 of the Laws of the Game, "The Field of Play".All line markings on the pitch form part of the area which they define...
. - Which side is entitled to return the ball into the field of play.
- When a player may be penalised for an offside offence.
- To assist the fourth official (if present) in notifying the center referee that a substitution is being requested.
- When offences or other infringements of the Laws of the Game have been committed of which the referee does not have an adequate view.
An assistant referee may also be called upon by the referee to provide an opinion regarding matters which the referee requires clarification on. Occasionally the assistant referee will assist in player management during free kicks, as well as provide visual assistance during penalty kicks. The assistant referees also usually assist the referee with preparatory and administrative functions.
New developments
Recent trials, for example at the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League group stage2009–10 UEFA Europa League group stage
The 2009–10 UEFA Europa League group stage matches took place between 17 September and 17 December 2009.The group stage featured the 38 winners of the play-off round and the 10 losing sides of the Champions League play-off round....
, have been started to make place for an additional two assistant referees to be added to the game, positioned behind the goal lines, in order to "ensure that the Laws of the Game are upheld, informing the referee of incidents of any kind that he may otherwise have missed, particularly in key areas of the field like the penalty area and its surroundings," but only informing the referee of their observings through a wireless communication system. The trial will be evaluated by IFAB technical experts.
Fourth official
The fourth official assists the referee in a variety of tasks, and may be called upon to replace another match official.The fourth official is a recent addition to the officiating crew. English referee and administrator Ken Aston
Ken Aston
Kenneth George "Ken" Aston, MBE was an English teacher, soldier, and football referee, who was responsible for many important developments in football refereeing.- Early life and career :...
introduced the practice of having a named replacement referee in 1966, but the International Football Association Board
International Football Association Board
The International Football Association Board is the body that determines the Laws of the Game of association football.-Operations:...
(IFAB) did not officially create the position until 1991, and listed only areas of responsibility. The fourth official is simply instructed to assist the referee at all times, and his duties are largely at the discretion of the referee. His usual duties can be broadly divided into assisting functions and a replacement function (see below).
The fourth official typically has a table a short distance from the touchline between the two teams' technical areas, however his positioning is not defined by the Laws of the Game.
In usual practice, the fourth official assists the referee in the following ways:
- Assisting with administrative functions before, during and after the match;
- Assessment of players' equipment;
- Ensuring substitutions are conducted in an orderly manner;
- Notifying the referee of the details of the substitution, by means of numbered boards or electronic displays (where supplied);
- Notifying the teams and spectators, by means of numbered boards or electronic displays where supplied, of the amount of time added on at the end of each half, after having been advised of this by the referee;
- Acting as the contact point between the match officiating crew and any non-participants (such as stadium managers, security personnel, broadcast crews, and ball retrievers);
- Maintaining decorum in the teams' technical areas and interceding in situations where coaches, bench personnel, or substitutes become agitated;
In practice, the fourth official becomes a key member of the officiating team, who can watch the field and players and advise the Referee on situations that are going on out of his sight. The fourth official keeps an extra set of records, and helps make sure the Referee does not make a serious error such as cautioning
Misconduct (football)
Misconduct in association football is any conduct by a player that is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction in accordance with Law 12 of the Laws of the Game. Misconduct may occur at any time, including when the ball is out of play, during half-time and before and after the...
the wrong player, or giving two cautions to the same player and forgetting to send off
Misconduct (football)
Misconduct in association football is any conduct by a player that is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction in accordance with Law 12 of the Laws of the Game. Misconduct may occur at any time, including when the ball is out of play, during half-time and before and after the...
the player.
The fourth official played a significant role in the 2006 World Cup Final when fourth official Luis Medina Cantalejo
Luis Medina Cantalejo
Luis Medina Cantalejo is a retired Spanish football referee.Professionally, Medina Cantalejo is a sports assessor who lives in Tomares, west of Seville. He was one of the few officials allowed to officiate the domestic clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona...
informed referee Horacio Elizondo
Horacio Elizondo
Horacio Marcelo Elizondo is a former Argentine international football referee best known for his officiation throughout the 2006 FIFA World Cup...
of the headbutt of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
's Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
against Marco Materazzi
Marco Materazzi
Marco Materazzi , is an Italian footballer who plays as a defender, and is currently a free agent.At the beginning of his career, Materazzi played with various Italian teams in Serie B and Serie C, and with Premier League side Everton. He spent two periods with Perugia and signed for...
, resulting in Elizondo showing Zidane a red card and sending him from the field. French manager Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech is a retired French footballer and the former manager of the France national team.-2006 World Cup:On 12 July 2004, Domenech was a surprise choice to succeed Jacques Santini after the country's disappointing exit from UEFA Euro 2004 by losing in the quarter-final match to the...
accused Cantalejo of using the replay board to initiate the process that led to Zidane's ejection, which would have broken FIFA rules, but FIFA maintained that Cantalejo did not breach any rules and acted properly.
The fourth official serves as a replacement official in the event that one of the other officials (referee or assistant referees) cannot continue officiating (usually through injury).
In situations where an assistant referee is unable to continue, the fourth official replaces that assistant referee. In situations where the referee is unable to continue, the fourth official replaces the referee directly, or the senior assistant referee replaces the referee, with the fourth official in turn taking an assistant's position. Competition rules are supposed to clarify which of these options is to occur. If for some reason it is not stated, then typically the official with the most refereeing experience (either the fourth official or the senior assistant referee) will replace the referee.
For matches in the 2006 World Cup, FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
assigned five officials. When five officials are assigned, the fourth official will only take over for the referee. If an assistant referee needs to be replaced, the fifth official will take over that position.
Fifth official
A fifth official (FOF) assists the fourth official in a variety of tasks, and who may be called upon to replace another match official if necessary, for example in the case of injury.For the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, where the extra official was first introduced, if an assistant referee could not carry on his duties, the fifth official was to be the primary replacement, whereas the fourth official was the referee's primary replacement.
Sixth/Seventh officials
UEFA have announced that their experiment using two extra match officials, first trialled in the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League, extended to the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League and qualifying games for the UEFA Euro 2012.In addition to the referee and his two assistants, an extra official is placed behind the goal at either end. The system earned mixed reviews in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League, with its critics pointing to an incident during Fulham’s home tie with Roma as proof that the experiment added little to the game.