Question Number: 24631

Other 3/1/2011

RE: College

Dave of DM, IA U.S. asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24614

Regarding club linesmen,
Is there anything legally wrong with doing without them?
Most the time they are very nice and do what they are supposed to, but other times they can put you in a bad situation just as any inexperienced AR can.
I once had the entire crowd wondering why I didn't allow a goal even though the CL publicly thought it should've counted.
Most times I prefer going solo since they are of no help with offside calls which is what we need the most help with in a game.
Would there be any liability concerns not having the proper number of 'officials'.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Dave, I kind of agree with you. They really serve little purpose and sometimes cause controversy. In Canada we ask club assistant referees (CARs), to indicate when the ball has gone out of play. We are to strictly instruct them NOT to indicate fouls, offsides and I even prefer them NOT too signal direction. If you do not give these instructions to your CARs then you may end up in hot water when they signal one way and you the other.
If the CAR ever argues with you I would suggest you thank him or her and dismiss or replace the CAR. Then just go solo.
I do not see any liability issues by not having CARs.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
If the referee can do with out club linesmen then that is a matter for the referee. In all our leagues the linesman simply gives the ball in and out of play along the touch line. It is helpful as the referee on tight line calls cannot give the decision without assistance.
There is no issue of liability in this matter.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Your question indicates college. The NCAA rules permit a single referee with the approval of both teams. A.R. 5.3.1.b. They permit use of the dual system of control if two referees are present and the third scheduled referee does not arrive. (If the third arrives late, the rest of the match is done under the diagonal system of control). The NCAA rules do not provide for club lines.

Club lines are permitted under games affiliated with US Soccer, but they are not mandatory. Your local association or league may have specific guidelines for using them.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

We've been discussing this and everyone has their own opinion. If you are refereeing USSF games using club linesmen and allow them to do anything other than signal the ball has gone out of play, you've made a major mistake that will only cause you problems. When I use them they must agree to do what I say or I don't want them. I have them stand at the corner flag and watch the touch and goal lines and signal when the ball crosses over either one.When I was doing lots of games and was in great shape I rarely used them on Rec games and Georgia forbids them on Select games.