Question Number: 29152

League Specific 2/3/2015

RE: Adult

Lauren of johannesburg, gauteng South Africa asks...

If a game is called off due to Lightning, does the entire match get replayed or only the duration of the match that was left?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Lauren,
the rules of the competition ...RoC... usually have a safety barrier built into adverse weather conditions where a match MUST be abandoned due to lightening. It is possible the match could be ...delayed... then resumed if there is time and conditions were clearing in that day. I believe 30 minutes to 1 hr. with no lightening could be a nominal time to consider it safe to go back out.
The match if abandoned, will likely be replayed if possible! However, if circumstances require an outcome, it may reflect how much of the match remained and the score at the time of abandonment if a result is to be considered as final.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lauren
That is a matter for the competition authority and it is dependent on the rules of competition. I have seen everything from the result to stand because the game had passed a certain set time, full replays to partial replays from the time the game was abandoned.
Typically it is a full replay as bringing two teams together with an official makes most sense and use of time and resources.