Question Number: 34523

Law 6 - The Other Match Oficials 3/9/2022

RE: Pro Adult

Robert Fleetwood of Morecambe, Lancashire United Kingdom asks...

Should a fourth official assist a player who has to take a throw-in by retrieving the ball and handing the the ball to them?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Robert
Context is everything.
If the 4th official did it because he is closer to the ball and it helps with the restart then why not?
However once it gets viewed as favouring one team then it is not a good idea as it may compromise perceived impartiality and more importantly if can take the official's focus off his role which includes another set of eyes on the field of play and technical area.
I have carried out 4th official duties and one of the tasks includes managing the footballs by ensuring there is sufficient numbers including proper inflation before kick off. It is laid out in Law 6 as and I quote * # supervising the replacement balls*. That part of the role involves replacing balls that are not immediately retrievable with another match ball on the instruction of the referee.
I recall in one particular game I started off with six balls in a bag and by late into the 2nd half I was down to the last ball. Thankfully no further ball was required on the day. If I tried to stop a ball beside me then it was done for the good reason that the game could be held up while another ball is found.
The same question could be asked of an assistant referee. Should an assistant stop a ball that has gone out of play or kick a ball in to a goalkeeper from the corner area for a goal kick if he is stood beside it?
I have been at grounds that say have a running track around the perimeter of the field. Any ball that makes it to the track is a lengthy run to get the ball back. Again context is everything. If a game is effectively over as a contest and an assistant stops the ball that is going out beside him is it going to be questioned negatively by either team? Not in my experience.
If on the other hand it is 0-0 and an assistant stops the ball which say was deliberately kicked out of play and it creates a quick throw in that is going to create a question over impartiality? A match official does not want to be in that position at any time even if the intentions are totally impartial.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Robert ,
A 4th official certainly should not be chasing the loose balls down as that is not a regular duty but if it was convenient & not creating an an unfair quick restart then why not? Yes, we should be focused on our duties as officials but circumstances can create the odd intervention with no forfeit of neutrality.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Robert,
I wouldn't say that they should but as my colleagues have pointed out, they could if the circumstances were right. As they have both stated, the fourth official (or any match official for that matter) should avoid doing anything that might cause their impartiality to be called into question.