Question Number: 21723

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 7/30/2009

RE: High School

jahangeer ul islam of chakwal, chakwal pakistan asks...

during the match.
Can the Soccer line man give palenty decision to the Empire?????
It was a handball... line man saw it and said to the refree that it is hand ball and its a palenty ??? is it right?
plz reply quick ....
coz decision is not yet taken...
my email is Repairer@gmail.com

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Neutral assistant referees are appointed to the match to do just that, assist the referee. Part of that assistance is calling fouls that happen out of sight of the referee.

If the 'line man' was what we call a club line, someone affiliated with the team and not appointed as a neutral assistant, this might change. Here in the US we are told that club lines can only call ball in and out of play. In England they allow the club lines to call offside as well. It's possible some areas allow club lines to call fouls.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Law 5 says that the referee may act on information provided by the assistant referee. If the assistant referee sees a foul and informs the referee, and the referee acts on the information, the referee may award a penalty kick.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The Assistant Referee is allowed to call fouls he believes the Referee has not seen. He will use the proper mechanics to indicate a penalty kick is to be awarded. The referee may accept or reject the asssistant's information

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Jahangeer, if your question simply asks who has the authority do what in a soccer game, the answer is simple: it is the referee and only the referee, who makes the final decision regarding the facts connected with play. The other guys are out there to help him make that decision.
These are the proper names of soccer officials: Referee, Assistant Referee and Fourth Official. There is only one supreme bossman out there: the Referee.
Who knows what really happened in the play you are asking about but one thing is for sure: since the referee said no penalty there was no hand ball. His decision is final and cannot be appealed.