DIRECTIVES for CLUBS & MATCH OFFICIAL’S

1.      The Role of the Fourth Official

A fourth official will be appointed to Cup Finals and League Representative matches.

The fourth official shall remind the coaches that they must remain within the confines of the technical area during the match

• He shall instruct the physio/doctor that they must not enter the field of play without first receiving the permission of the referee
• He will ascertain, prior to the match, the location he will occupy near to the touchline, between the technical areas where possible, for the duration of the game
• The fourth official shall check the pressure of the replacement footballs.  He will provide a replacement football, on the instruction of the referee except in matches where the multiple ball system is in use.
• He shall listen to the pre-match instructions issued by the referee and ascertain what procedure should be followed if the referee or one of the assistant referees are unable to continue

The fourth official assists the referee at all times.  He shall maintain frequent eye contact with the match officials

• He will indicate to the referee when the wrong player is cautioned because of mistaken identity or when a player is not sent off having been seen to be given a second caution
• He will bring to the attention of the referee acts of violent conduct which occur out of the view of the referee or assistant referees
• He shall keep a full record of the game, including details of any players cautioned or sent-off
• He shall be in charge of substitutions and whether the substitutes equipment is in order.  He shall indicate substitutions to the Match Referee. The fourth official shall record the exact times that substitutions are made
• He will monitor the entry into the field of play by the physio/doctor/stretcher bearers allowing such entry only with the permission of the referee

The fourth official will supervise the technical area to maintain order and inform the referee of irresponsible behaviour by any occupant of the technical area.  IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR may be defined as, but not exclusive to:

• any person who leaves the technical area to remonstrate with an Assistant Referee
• any act of abusive, insulting, offensive or threatening language and/or gesture
• persistently failing to comply with the Laws of the Game, League Regulations, Competition Rules or the request of the 4^th official

He shall ensure that only those personnel named on the official team sheet occupy the technical area and, where a coach has conveyed tactical instructions to the players during a match he returns to his position after giving those instructions

He should support and protect Assistant Referees from verbal abuse from occupants within the Technical Area or those who step outside of it

Fourth Officials are expected to control the technical area in a preventative rather than confrontational manner.  If the occupants of the technical area indulge in serious misconduct the fourth official must inform the referee immediately

At the end of the match, the fourth official shall not go onto the pitch, but shall supervise the return of the players and officials through the tunnel area to the dressing rooms and act as witness if any incident occurs

He shall make a full report to the referee after the match, confirming with the referee the identity of players that have been cautioned.  He will also inform the referee of the names and times of any substitutions that have taken place

He shall advise the referee of any breach of the Technical Area regulations

After the match, the fourth official must submit a report to the appropriate authorities on any misconduct or other incident, which has occurred out of the view of the referee and the assistant referee.  The fourth official must advise the referee of any reports being made

The fourth official assists the referee at all times.  This will involve being pro-active in any dealings with players, substitutes and club officials, especially during the match.

Match Officials are reminded that Law 4 states: “A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player including any kind of jewellery.”

All jewellery, with the exception of a wedding ring, must be removed.  Wedding rings must be rendered safe by taping to the satisfaction of the Referee.  The Referee’s decision is final and players in contravention of this Law must not be allowed to enter the field of play.

Match Officials are also to incorporate a footwear inspection into the pre-match safety check of players’ equipment.  This will take place before entry to the field of play immediately prior to the game.

Boot manufacturers have recently been experimenting with designs and some give cause for concern.  The use of blades on the sole of the boot is an example of such concern. 

The Football Association has offered the following guidelines:

“When inspecting footwear, officials are to be alert to the possibility of the edge of the blade developing rough areas on either the plastic or metal used in their construction.

These burrs are very sharp and have been the cause of lacerations on opponents.  If match officials are concerned over the condition of the blades, they should refuse to sanction their use until they have been made safe. 

If evidence emerges during the game eg torn stockings, lacerations, the referee may wish to follow up the inspection with the player(s) concerned during a stoppage.”

Referees are to report any instance where the kick-off has been delayed, as a result of the footwear inspection.

‘Technical Area’

The ‘Technical Area’ extends 1m on either side of the designated seated area and extends forward up to a distance of 1m from the touchline.  Markings are to be used to define this area and it should be clearly and correctly marked.

‘Trainers Bench’

The ‘Trainers Bench’ relates to the seating area within the technical area also known as ‘team bench’, ‘dugout’ or other means of housing or protecting Managers, substitute players and coaching staff during a match.

All clubs must provide separate trainers benches adjacent to the pitch for the sole use of team officials, medical staff, substitute players (and any substituted players) for both the Home and Visiting Club.  Trainers’ benches shall have direct access onto the field of play, and be within the marked technical area.

• Only those team officials and substitutes (and any substituted player) listed on the team sheet may occupy the trainers bench
• A team official may convey tactical instructions to the players from the edge of the Technical Area during the match.  He must return to his position after giving these instructions
• With the exception of the team manager, the team coach and any substitutes who are warming up or warming down, all other personnel are to remain seated on the trainers bench

The fourth official, where appointed, has the authority to inform the referee of irresponsible behaviour by any occupant of the technical area/trainers bench

4. Substitution Procedures

An occupant of the relevant Technical Area shall stand outside the Field Of Play at the Half Way Line and hold up the numbers of the players involved in the Substitution.

The Boards SHALL be displayed until the players have exchanged places on the Field of Play.

The Substitution MUST take place at the Half Way Line of the Field of Play, on the Technical Area side of the pitch.

 The incoming player MUST NOT enter the Field of Play until the substituted player has exited the Field of Play and has had his equipment checked by the Assistant Referee and thus been authorised to enter the match.

Referees WILL report clubs who do not properly comply with this DIRECTIVE on their Match Report Form.

Warming Up

The referee and/or fourth official will indicate exactly where the substitutes may warm up