Question Number: 28408

Law 5 - The Referee 5/9/2014

RE: Competive Under 17

Gavin Andrew of Bedfordview, Gauteng South Africa asks...

What happens when the flood lights go off before the game can finish?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gavin
The referee will bring the players off the field of play and consult the stadium management as to the reason and the likely length of time that the lights will be unavailable. If the problem cannot be resolved in a short period of time the match is abandoned and the matter reported to the competition authority.
At the very highest level, which can involve extensive travel and costs, every effort will be made to complete the game and perhaps a longer time to allow repairs etc might be considered.
If the game is abandoned the competition organisers will decide what should happen based on the competition rules and the various reports.
The decision could be a replay or allow the result to stand or some other solution that is fair and equitable in the circumstances.
Here is an example from the Champions League
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2229482/Manchester-United-game-Braga-suspended-floodlight-failure.html

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If the lights cannot be restarted, the referee abandons the match. Each league will decide whether the match is replayed in full or if the result stands (depending on when it occurred).