ASSISTANT REFEREE

Two 'assistant referees' (previously known as 'linesmen') assist the referee in controlling an association football (soccer) match.
An assistant referee indicates matters to the referee (usually initially by raising his flag, but nowadays also by wireless communication devices), which the referee may then act upon. All decisions by the assistant referee are only advisory to the referee; assistants do not actually make binding decisions.
During the game one assistant referee oversees one touch-line and one end of the field utilising the diagonal system of control.
Assistant referees were formerly called linesmen. In 1996, the name change was primarily to better reflect the modern role of these officials, and secondarily to become non-gender specific. They are also sometimes incorrectly referred to as "referee's assistants".

Contents

General duties

See also

General duties

Law 6 of the Laws of the Game outlines the general duties of the assistant referees, however their duties in a given game remain subject to the decision of the referee. These duties usually include indicating:

★ When the whole ball has passed outside the field of play.

★ Which side is entitled to return to the ball into the field of play.

★ When a player may be penalised for an offside offence .

★ When offences or other infringments of the Laws of the Game have been committed of which the referee does not have an adequate view.
An assistant referee may also be called upon by the referee to provide an opinion regarding matters which the referee requires clarification on. The assistant referees also usually assist the referee with substitutions, preparatory and administrative functions.

See also

★ Fourth official