Question Number: 24614

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 2/25/2011

RE: Select Under 19

Rick Malloy of Vancouver, British Columbia Canada asks...

Prior to the match, the scheduled referee's assistants, were not available. So the referee had 2 of the home team's parents (supposedly qualified), assist with lining and making foul calls.
When approached by 2 players from the visiting team, who knew the parents, the referee told them to mind their own business.
On the 2 goals scored, the referee took consultation with one of the linesmen. The 1st on whether the ball fully crossed the line, and the 2nd on a penalty call in the box which resulted in a pk.
Are there grounds to protest?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Grounds to protest will depend on your league rules regarding what to do when referees do not show up. Some rules allow for using another person as an assistant referee(*). Others only allow them as club lines. The Laws of the Game are silent on the matter, other than saying two assistant referees "may be appointed". You also have to check what the rules are for club lines; for example, USSF only allows them to call the ball out of play.

* Whether or not this is allowed, it still may not be a good idea. You see what the perception of bias led to in this game.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rick
This is not a referee question but rather one for the competition organisers.There are rules for situations were the assigned referee is unable to officiate along with situations where assistant/s do not show. Generally those situations, where there are no neutral ARs available, follow club assistant rules. Many Leagues throughout the world where neutral assistant referees are unavailable or injured will defer to club assistants and that includes situations where there is only one assistant available. Where no assistant are assigned or do not show each club provides an assistant for the game and their duties are usually defined either by the referee in the pre match discussion or through the competition rules. For instance in our Leagues club assistants do not make foul calls or offside calls just ball in/out of play decisions. Some league allow for offside calls to be flagged with the referee making the final decision.
As a general point the match can only be protested if it is shown that it was not played in line with the competition rules.
On a personal note I have acted on many protest panels and I have always made the point that these matters should always be decided in advance of the game going ahead, either between the two clubs or by a phone call to the competition convenor. When games go ahead there is tacit agreement that the arrangements are satisfactory to both sides and that they should accept the outcome. If one team feels that they are unhappy with the arrangements then the game should be played under protest / not played - whatever the rules allow for.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Most leagues permit a referee to use 'club lines' when certified assistant referees are not available. Few permit them to assist the referee in decisions other than when the ball has fully crossed the touchline.

Your experience helps explain why. Even assuming the club line provided absolutely correct advice, they are not neutral. They are untrained. Decisions based on their advice create controversy. Referees would be advised not to rely on them for match critical decisions such as goal/no goal; penalty kick; offside.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

USSF allows club linesmen, even if they are fully trained referees, to ONLY signal when the ball goes out of play. They are to stand at the corner flag and watch the touch and goal lines.

Perhaps Gene will weigh in on Canadian rules but you can see by what happened that the USSF advice is good. The parents, even if trained are not unbiased and common sense would dictate the referee only allow them minimal duties.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Rick, parents of players, who are not assigned to officiate a game are called "Club A/Rs". Their only duty is to indicate that a ball has gone out of bounds. Under no circumstance can they call offside, fouls or advise the referee on points of the game other then to signal when the ball has gone out of bounds.
The referee must not rely on advice from Club A/Rs in regards to PKs or goals scored.
I disagree with the referee's comment that the visiting players should mind their own business. They WERE minding their business!
Whether there was bias or not it is irrelevant. Club A/Rs are simply not neutral officials by definition.
In British Columbia every official registered under BCSA has a current registered number. From 2004 to 2008 BCSA issued badges with the year on the badge. These days there is no date on the badge; it is a 3 inch round badge with a stylized white soccerball/mapleleaf on black background. It has the previous National Badge look. Without this badge and the registered BCSA referee number they are not qualified to officiate in any affiliated league.
However, if BOTH teams agree that the game will be played with a non-registered official, all that might be out the window.
I think you might have a good chance to protest the game.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 24631