Question Number: 12702

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 5/2/2006

RE: Amateur College

Lennon Emmanuel of Harare, Zimbabwe asks...

1.Can an assistant referee book a player? I'm asking so because I think I saw that at the recently held ACON 2006?

2.Are there any incidences (especisally in Africa) where the FIFA has rejected the appeal to register a female player in the men's national team?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

An assistant can not book a player, he can strongly suggest to his referee that the player's name go in the book.

I have no true answer regarding the second question, though I can guess. FIFA need not get involved here because national organisations may field women's teams. If a national organisation does ask to include a woman all FIFA need do is ask why she is not included on the women's squad?

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Lennon,
the assistant referee (AR) is there it assist the referee .The AR can make the centre referee (CR) aware of his thoughts or comment on things unseen by the CR but has no power to caution, dismiss or show cards . The refere is the only official who actually does the needed actions.
As a youth coach I have added female players to what were essentially all boys teams BECAUSE there was no ladies team of equal level for them to play on. I suspect FIFA would ask the same thing? MY take if your good enough you play! Cheers