What the Laws Say
The Fourth Official may be appointed under the competition rules and officiates if any of the three match officials is unable to continue.
| Prior to the start of the competition, the organizer states clearly whether, if the Referee is unable to continue, the Fourth Official takes over as the match Referee or whether the senior Assistant Referee takes over as Referee with the Fourth Official becoming an Assistant Referee. The Fourth Official assists with any administrative duties before, during and after the match, as required by the Referee. He is responsible for assisting with substitution procedures during the match. |
He supervises the replacement footballs, where required. If the match ball has to be replaced during a match, he provides another ball, on the instruction of the Referee, thus keeping the delay to a minimum. He has the authority to check the equipment of substitutes before they enter the field of play. If their equipment does not comply with the Laws of the Game, he informs the Referee. The Fourth Official assists the Referee at all times.
He must indicate to the Referee when the wrong player or substitute
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has been cautioned or sent off based on an incorrect identification: -
has not been sent off despite having received a second caution: or
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has committed violent conduct out of the view of the Referee and Assistant Referees.
The Referee, however, retains the authority to decide on all points connected with play. The authority of the Fourth Official now also allows him to take action in situations concerned with actual play. After the match, the Fourth Official must submit a report to the appropriate authorities on any misconduct or other incidents that have occurred out of the view of the Referee and the Assistant Referees. The Fourth Official must advise the Referee and his Assistants of any report being made. He has the authority to inform the Referee of irresponsible behavior by any occupant of the technical area.
