Question Number: 25999

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 2/24/2012

RE: Adult

Rover_KE of Rishton, Lancashire England asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22332

What's the thinking behind the decision to move the additional officials over to the same side as the linesmen?

When they were on the opposite side of the goals they had different viewpoints, but now they have the same one, and the fifth official blocks the linesman's view when play is near the goal-line.

Have any evaluations of the effectiveness of these officials been done? I've never seen any of them make any sort of decision.

Rover

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The story I heard, is that somehow the presence of the additional AR interfered with the center referee's running pattern. If the AAR was on the same side as the AR, then the ref didn't have to modify the diagonal.

I agree that the field of view of the AR and AAR is now essentially the same. I hope this change in positioning is not an excuse to make the AAR experiment fail.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
The process has been closely monitored by UEFA and FIFA with input from referees, managers, players. league managers association etc.
One of the problems highlighted by referees was the need to modify their usual diagonal running pattern to accommodate the extra officials. In games with the AAR in the original position the referee had to make an unusual running move off his diagonal which no doubt went against years of practise doing it the traditional way.
As a result the AAR was moved across to the AR's side which personally I think is not a good idea as
1. The blind spot to the left of the goal is now missed
2. The AAR can get in the way of the AR's view.
3. There are two sets on eyes on one side with none on the other.
It probably was decided that as one of the main functions of the AAR is goal line decisions and incidents inside the goal area the change made little difference yet it did help referees continue with the traditional diagonal running pattern. Personally I still think that the diagonal path could have been allowed for.
A final decision on the experiment will be made this summer. If goal line technology is introduced the need for the AAR may be removed.