The Laws of Association Football and FIFA instructions indicate that any player requiring treatment must be given such treatment off the field of play, with the least delay possible being made in the progress of the match.  These guidelines outline the procedures to be adopted.

(The Football Association, Medical Education Centre, suggest as a guide it would take a skilled Therapist from 20 – 50 seconds to carry out an assessment but it may take longer for the more serious or complicated injuries or for head injuries.)

Referees must follow the instruction below when dealing with injured players:

• play is allowed to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured
• play is stopped if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured
after stopping play for a serious injury or when recognising the need for medical attention to a player the referee authorises up to two medical representatives to enter the field of play to assess the injury only and arrange for the player’s safe and swift removal from the field of play
• the referee ensures an injured player is safely removed from the field of play
• a player is not allowed to be treated on the field
• any player bleeding from a wound must leave the field of play.  He may not return until the referee is satisfied that the bleeding has stopped
• as soon as the referee has authorised the physio / doctor to enter the field, the player must leave the field, either on a stretcher or on foot.  If a player does not comply he is cautioned for unsporting behaviour
• an injured player may only return to the field of play after the match has started
• an injured player may only re-enter the field from the touchline when the ball is in play.  When the ball is out of play, the injured player may re-enter from any of the boundary lines
• the referee alone is authorised to allow an injured player to re-enter the field whether the ball is in play or not
• if play has not otherwise been stopped for another reason, or if an injury suffered by a player is not the result of a breach of the Laws of the Game, the referee restarts play with a dropped ball
• the referee allows for the full amount of time lost through injury to be played at the end of each period of play

Exceptions to this ruling are made only for:

• injury to a goalkeeper
• iwhen a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and both need immediate attention
• iwhen a severe injury has occurred, eg swallowed tongue, concussion, broken leg, etc

With the permission of the referee a physiotherapist may attend an injured player, on the field of play, during the time that the referee is administering disciplinary action against an offending player.  If, after disciplinary action has been completed the player still requires attention, he must leave the field of play.

This procedure for dealing with injured players will allow them to receive the correct treatment safely, off the field of play.

Where a player, who has been removed from the field of play because of a blood injury, has blood on his shirt, shorts or socks the player will be required to change the clothing for clean apparel.

6. Goal Scoring Celebrations

Players guilty of excessive time wasting while celebrating a goal are to be cautioned.

A player must be cautioned when:

In the opinion of the referee he makes gestures which are provocative, derisory or inflammatory

Referees are expected to act in a preventative mode and to exercise commonsense in dealing with the celebration of a goal.

7. Disciplinary Procedures

Use of Red & Yellow Cards

The Laws of Association Football require referees to show cards for appropriate offences to players, substitutes and substituted players only.  The mandatory use of the cards was introduced merely as a simple aid to better communication.

Referees should not use the cards in an aggressive or provocative manner likely to inflame an already emotive situation nor should the card be used in an over-demonstrative manner that may humiliate a player and perhaps cause him to over-react.

The general procedure for cautioning players is to state to the player he is being cautioned; enquire his name; warn him about his future conduct; finally show the yellow card. 

Where a player is to be disciplined he should be isolated before disciplinary action is taken if this action results in the dismissal for a second cautionable offence the yellow card should be displayed, followed immediately by the showing of the red card.  This ensures there is no doubt that the player is being dismissed as a result of receiving a second caution in the same match.

If a player is cautioned or dismissed by the referee during the half time interval, the referee or 4^th official, where appointed, will be responsible for informing a representative of both Clubs to ensure an appropriate announcement is made over the public address system.

Dismissal of Players

Match Officials are reminded to instruct players to leave the field of play and return to the dressing room when they have been sent from the field of play.  It is important that a player who has been dismissed is monitored by the match officials and play is not restarted until the referee is satisfied that the player is clear of the field of play.

8. Mass Confrontation 

The following guidelines should be adopted in the event of mass confrontation situation:

• The Assistant Referees should quickly move along their touchline to a position opposite the incident and, if necessary, be prepared to move infield to obtain a better viewing position
• Once in position the assistant referee nearest to the incident should fully concentrate on the confrontation and attempt to identify the instigators. The other assistant referee should observe the remaining players, noting in particular those who join the confrontation from some distance
• At the conclusion of the incident the assistant referees should be prepared to offer assistance to the referee confirming the identify of players involved, their location and any other relevant information
• The assistant referee patrolling the touchline where the technical area is located may have additional problems with the occupants of the technical area.  

• The Referee should avoid jumping in but stand back and observe the incident
• Players who are seen to be striking, kicking or acting aggressively should be identified as opposed to those who are clearly trying to separate the offenders
• Once the confrontation has subsided and before the game has restarted, the referee should consult with the assistant who has been observing the incident.  He shall consult with both assistants before taking any disciplinary action
• The required disciplinary action should then be taken.  Offending players should be moved to a position where all the other players can still be observed.  Where action requires the dismissal of two or more players ensure they leave the field of play individually to prevent further misconduct
• The Football Association expects that your priority should be to identify and punish accordingly:
• The instigators
• Any player whose action clearly escalates or influences the situation

• The fourth official assists the referee at all times
• In the event of mass confrontation the fourth official’s first priority should be the conduct of the occupants of the technical area
• At the conclusion of the incident the fourth official should bring to the attention of the referee anything he may wish to report

Even where disciplinary action is not taken reports of mass confrontation should still be made to The Hellenic League Office as part of the Match Referee’s report.

When a Mass Confrontation incident involving TEN or more Player’s & Team Official’s occurs during the course of a fixture Match Official’s are required to submit a narrative report to the Hellenic League Office for possible further action as may be considered appropriate.