Awoko Sports will be going through the laws of the game for a period of one month, as most of our football fans and stakeholders do not know some of these laws. In today’s edition, we are going to start with Law SIX: the Assistant Referees.
Assistant Referees: two assistant referees shall be appointed, whose duty (subject to the decision of the referee) shall be to indicate
? When the ball is out of play
? Which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal-kick or throw-in
? When a player may be penalized for being in an offside position
? When misconduct or other incident has occurred out of view of the referee
? When a substitution is desired
? They shall also assist the referee to control the game in accordance with the laws. In the event of undue interference or improper conduct by an assistant referee, the referee shall dispense with his services and arrange for a substitute to be appointed. (The matter shall be reported by the referee to the competent authority)
? The assistant referees should be equipped with flags by the club whose ground the match is played
Decision of the international FA board to assistant referees
? Assistant referees, where neutral, shall draw the referee’s attention to any breach of the laws of the game which they become aware if they consider that the referee may not have seen it, but the referee shall always be judge of the decision to be taken.
? In international ‘A’ matches, national associations should appoint neutral assistant referees from the international list
? In international matches assistant referees’ flags shall be a vivid colour, bright red and yellow, such flags are recommended for use in all other matches
? An assistant referee may be subjected to disciplinary action only upon a report of the referee for unjustified interference or insufficient assistance