Question Number: 21295

League Specific 5/6/2009

RE: Adult

Melvin H. of Colorado Springs, Colorado U.S.A. asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21178

I am curious about what seems to happen more and more before matches--sadly--and that is the minute of silence.
I remember years ago that teams would line up in their positions, then the referee would blow his whistle for a minute of silence, then blow again to end the minute. Now, the arrangement seems to be that the starting elevens line up on the center circle on their half, with the refereeing crew (but not the fourth?) standing on the halfway line, also on the center circle, opposite the benches. When did this change, if it did?
Could--or do--referees also do a minute of silence during the first half . . . such as was done in 1989 (after Hillsborough), during a Champion's Cup match in Milan
Also, how does the CR handle a request for a minute's silence prior to a match (if not one coming from an association, i.e. an anniversary of the deaths of a great team such as 'Il Grande Torino' , 60 years this past Monday (5/4))?

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

These kinds of 'ceremonies' for lack of a better term, are handled outside the time frame of the game. These moments of silence, practically speaking are handled no differently than 'senior recognition' ceremonies that many high schools have or special halftime events at other levels of play. The CR handles these requests in whatever way the venue officials would like it to be done. It's not up to the referee to decide how it is done, only that they facilitate the reqest to the best of their ability.