DIRECTIVES for CLUBS & MATCH OFFICIAL’S

9. Extraordinary Incidents

Incidents occur, in or connected with football matches, that are likely to be the focal point for media attention, their enquiries and subsequent headlines, or which require The Football Association or County Football Association to investigate and, where appropriate, take further action.

In such situations it is essential that, in order to be able to respond appropriately and quickly, the appropriate Association has: -

• An initial report from the Referee and, where appropriate, the match assessor/observer within two hours of the end of a match where the kick-off is in the morning or afternoon, or before 09.00hrs the next morning following an evening kick-off.
• An indication of where the Referee may be contacted immediately for further details (assistant referees and match assessor if appropriate to the incident) and also during the following 24 hours

 

The report should include:

• The nature of the incident
• An indication of those involved (players/spectators)
• The responsible officials at the Club/Police Commander/Security Officer where appropriate
• Any known action being taken by the Club/Authorities

The report must be notified immediately to The Hellenic Football League on the official Hellenic League fax number (fax) or e-mail to official Hellenic League email address

It is not possible to comprehensively list or categorise the nature of what may or may not be regarded as an Extraordinary Incident, but should be understood to include any situations involving safety aspects, security breaches, spectator misbehaviour, in addition to those serious incidents on or off the field of play involving players.

10. Reconsideration of a Disciplinary Sanction

If, after cautioning or dismissing a player, the referee subsequently believes that the decision was in error he is to report the relevant facts to The Football Association or appropriate County FA within 48 hours of the conclusion of the game.

He should give reasons and confirm that no pressure had been brought to bear and that any amendment to the report has been made on his own volition following full consideration of all the facts.

Such consideration should only be given following the post-match de-briefing with match colleagues, or a realisation that he was incorrect in Law when compiling his report.

 

11. Standardisation of Pre-Match Instructions

Commencing Season 2004-2005, Referees will instruct their Assistants to adopt the following positions and signalling technique in all Hellenic League Competition matches:-

Goal Kick

In the situation where the Assistant is required to assist the Referee in the award of a goal kick, the Assistant will indicate the ball out of play in the approved manner.  For an obvious and undisputed goal kick (already indicated by the Referee), the signal to indicate the ball out of play is considered unnecessary.

Following either of the above, the Assistant will move to a point opposite the goal area and use the approved flag signal to confirm the aware of a goal kick.  The Assistant will then check that the ball is placed within the goal area and then move to a position adjacent to the second last defender.

Corner Kick

After indication, by the Referee, of a corner kick on the Referee’s diagonal, the Assistant will move down the touchline and stand behind the corner flag.  For corner kicks on the Assistant’s diagonal, the approved flag signal must be used to indicate the award of a corner kick and then the Assistant will stand behind the corner flag.

Penalty Kick

Assistant Referee is to monitor goalkeeper forward movement.  In the event of the penalty kick not being in compliance with Law, the Assistant Referee will remain in his/her position on the goal line to indicate to the Referee that the kick should be re-taken.

Throw-in

When the ball is out of play:

Raise the flag as a normal extension of your arm at 45 degrees. (It is expected that the Assistant should raise the flag using the hand appropriate to the direction of the throw-in); look (eye contact with Referee).  Assistants should easily recognise when the Referee is unsure of the direction of the throw-in and can then give positive unhurried assistance.)

Offside

Signal with flag held vertical. When play has been stopped, signal correct position with the flag in the approved manner, near, middle or far. 

Substitutions

Signal with the flag in the approved manner – it may be necessary for both Assistants to give the approved signal.  When acknowledged by the Referee and during the stoppage in play, the “active” assistant should move to the half way line to supervise the substitution, unless the Referee decides that he/she will control the substitution.

 

12. Procedure for the guidance of Clubs and Referees in determining the suitability of grounds in adverse weather conditions

Each Club must take every precaution to ensure that its ground is in a fit playing condition.

When the regional weather conditions are known to be extreme (e.g. prolonged severe frost, clear water logging or heavy snow) then the game can be postponed at the discretion of the League following consultation with the Hellenic League General Secretary. League Rules will apply; this is not an issue for the match day Referee.  Should a Competition decide to agree to an early postponement under such circumstances there will be no requirement for a pitch inspection.

In all other circumstances and subject to the time and travelling distance, the match Referee should be called in to make a decision. In the event of the match Referee being unable to carry out the inspection, the Home Club must select an alternative Referee from the Match Officials Directory List One & Two.

Should it not be possible to identify an appropriate Match Official, the Appointing Authority (the Hellenic League) will determine a suitable person to carry out the inspection.

 

Prior to reaching a decision the Referee who is making the inspection must:

• Consult with the match Referee prior to the inspection
• Consult with the match Referee during / after the inspection to mutually agree on a decision prior to notifying the Home Club Secretary or Club Chairman and the Hellenic League General Secretary. 

 

Prior to reaching a decision the Referee who is making the inspection should consider the following:

• The existing condition of the playing surface in conjunction with the prevailing weather conditions as previously confirmed with the local weather authority
• The views of the Home Club Groundsman in terms of local knowledge and draining capabilities in the event of standing water
• The manpower available to the Home Club to carry out any necessary work to make the ground playable
• The time the visiting Club are due to commence their journey
• Whether or not the ground (playing area) is dangerous (e.g. ice / frost)
• Whether or not that the spectator standing areas are dangerous (e.g. ice / frost)
• Whether or not conditions are or could turn farcical
• In the event of fog check with the local weather authority re possible clearance, also bearing in mind the visitors travelling arrangements if the fog is known to be widespread.  If fog is the problem then the match Referee should also consider whether or not the paying spectators would be able to view the whole area of play.

If after consultation with the match Referee, the ground is declared fit and the away Clubs instructed to travel, then only in exceptional circumstances should the match Referee reverse the decision.

If an early inspection has not been carried out and the match Referee arrives at the ground to find the playing conditions in doubt due to unexpected deterioration in the weather, he should first consider as many of the above points before committing himself to a decision.

In the event of a pitch inspection being carried out by a Referee other than the match Referee, a fee of £17.50 may be offered, by the Home Club.  If the appointed Match Officials have reported to the ground they are entitled half their match fee if the match is not played.