Referee (football)

A game of association football (soccer) is presided over by a referee. The referee has "full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed" (Law 5), and the referee's decisions regarding facts connected with play are final, so far as the result of the game is concerned.

The referee's numerous powers and duties are described by Law 5 of the Laws of the Game. Amongst other things, these include: Enforcing the Laws of the Game; Controlling the match in co-operation with the assistant referees (and fourth official where applicable); stop/suspend/terminate the match if appropriate; Controlling the restart of play; Acting as the timekeeper and recordkeeper of the game; Disciplining players and officials as required; etc.

The referee is assisted by two assistant referees (formerly known as linesmen), and in some matches also by a fourth official.

The vast majority of referees are amateur, and are paid a nominal fee (plus expenses) for their services. However, in some countries (such as England) the top twenty or so referees who officiate mainly in their country's top division are employed full-time by their national associations and recieve a retainer at the start of every season plus match fees. Most of these referees are also registered FIFA officials and are eligible to referee international matches.

Table of contents

1 History
2 List of famous football referees
3 External link

History

The term referee originated in association football (soccer). Originally the team captains would consult with each other in order to resolve any dispute on the pitch. Eventually this role was delegated to an umpire. Each team would bring their own partisan umpire allowing the team captains to concentrate on the game. Later, the referee, a third "neutral" official was added. The referee would be "referred to" if the umpires could not resolve a dispute. The referee did not take his place on the pitch until 1891. Then, umpires became linesmen (now officially called assistant referees). Today, in many amateur football matches, each side will still supply their own partisan linesman to assist the neutral referee (if any) appointed by the governing football association: this is usually due to there not being enough officials available to have three present at every match.