Introduction: What the Laws say: Routine and responsibilities. List of Fourth Official's Responsibilities.

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 assistant referee, who then informs the referee. The fourth official assists the referee at all times. After the match, the fourth official must submit a report to the appropriate authorities on any misconduct or other incident, which has 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.

Introduction:

The aim of this page is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Fourth Official's role. At the bottom of this page, you will find an extensive listing of what a Fourth Officials responsibilities are - this is dependant on which duties the match Referee wishes to assign to the Fourth Official. Nevertheless, the listing demonstrates the important (often-underrated) role that the Fourth Official often takes. The higher the standard of football, the more responsibilities the Fourth Official will have. For example: - the extraneous duties expected at the top level (such as in an English Premier League match) include involvement with crowd security aspects in conjunction with the security staff, media relations, and onerous administrative procedures such as the procedural paperwork involved with substitutions etc........ The Fourth Official comes under the authority of the Referee at all times, and it is the Referee's duty to clarify what he expects his Fourth Official to do. The Fourth Official must be made to feel part of the Referee's team, and not as sometimes happens, just a person to make up the numbers to comply with the Competition Rules.

History:

The Fourth Official is the newest breed of match official required to control the game of football (soccer), and as such, his role has developed slowly over the past few years. He has now become an important, essential and active part of the Referee's integrated team. In 1991, the Fourth Official was officially introduced into the Laws of the Game. At that time, the Fourth Official's role was basically to take over from any of the three match officials, should one of them be unable to continue due to an injury. He was also asked to deal with administrative duties, control the replacement footballs, and to check the substitutes' equipment. The Fourth Official's role developed further over the ensuing years, giving him more responsibility and credence. In 1995, the Fourth Official was recognized as part of the officiating team. In 1996 he was given the new responsibility of reporting any occurrences out of the vision of the Referee and the Assistant Referees.

1999/2000 allowed the Fourth Official to communicate direct with the Referee, and not necessarily via the Assistant Referee (as had been the case in the past). Informing the Referee of unruly behavior from the Technical Area was also added at this time. This created an official direct relationship between the Fourth Official and the Referee. Fourth Officials then became an essential part of all top-level games.

In 2000/2001, the Fourth Official was given the new responsibility of informing the Referee if a player or substitute:

- (a) Has been cautioned or sent off based on an incorrect identification:
- (b) Has not been sent off despite having received a second caution: or
- (c) Has committed violent conduct out of the view of the Referee and Assistant Referees.

In 2001/2002 Fourth Officials were allowed to approve a player's return onto the field of play, after the player had been treated for bleeding or blood on the uniform. Also, to check players in situations where they have been asked by the Referee to leave the field of play due to equipment problems. The evolutionary integration of the Fourth Official allows the Referee, his Assistant Referees, and the Fourth Official to form a stronger and more efficient team.

The Referee, along with the rest of his team (Assistant Referees and Fourth Official) is responsible for controlling the game as efficiently, effectively, and unobtrusively as possible. Each official will have his or her own personality - and this plays an important part in the makeup of the team. Officials will develop their own style of conduct; it is the Referee's task to lead his team, and to harness the qualities of all his members within a common boundary of standard practices. An individual's style should not interfere with the Referee's control or the flow of the game. It is important that the team establish clear communication between each other and the players (and the team managers) without causing undue attention to be drawn towards themselves and away from the matches itself. After all, the spectators want to see a game of football, and not to witness officials who are trying to attract attention to them for one thing or another.

A common accolade often heard describing a match official, is when players or managers comment after the game:

" I didn't even notice you in the game".

What the Law says:

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 is cautioned because of mistaken identity or when a player is not sent off having been seen to be given a second caution or when violent conduct occurs 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.

Routine and responsibilities.

Arrival at the ground.

Invariably, at games in the lower leagues, the Fourth Official will very often be an experienced local Referee, purposefully chosen to make the traveling Referee and his two Assistant Referees welcome at the ground. Due to his local knowledge, the Fourth Official will probably already be familiar with the ground layout, the ground staff and team officials. It is very important in such circumstances, that the local Fourth Official should arrive at the ground before any of the other officials arrive - the other officials may have traveled some distance to the ground. Be smart in appearance, and welcome your colleagues to the ground. Find out beforehand, where the officials' changing rooms are. Make yourself known to the ground staff and the team managers. This all helps to make any traveling officials welcome, and at ease when they arrive. Of course, the Referee, Assistant Referees, and the Fourth Official must all be at the ground at the time prescribed by the rules of competition, and at the very least 30 minutes prior to kick-off. Officials are recommending arriving in good time. This will ensure that there is enough time to check the facilities, and to allow for any adjustments to be made to the field of play etc. Close co-ordination by telephone with the Referee, in the days before the match, will allow the Officials to meet together as a team in plenty of time before the game starts.

Referees usually like to follow a set routine before their games. This allows them to feel relaxed and comfortable, in the knowledge that when they enter the field of play, they are not flummoxed or panicking about something they have forgotten, or have failed to organize something properly. It is very important that the Fourth Official arrives in good time to allow the Referee time to properly brief all of his Assistants. The Referee will not be very pleased with you, if you arrive 5 minutes before kick-off, after he has briefed his Assistant Referees, and just as he is about to enter the field of play to start the game. The Fourth Official should participate fully in the Referee's pre-match brief. It is during this brief, that the Fourth Official will learn of his responsibilities - as meted out by the Referee.

Some Referees like to deliver their pre-match brief whilst 'inspecting the field of play'. The Fourth Official should take special note of the Technical Area positions, during this pre-match field of play inspection. It is usual practice for the Referee, Assistant Referees, and the Fourth Official to participate together in carefully inspecting the field of play to ensure the adequacy of markings, safety, general playing conditions, position of the benches, and to decide the best touchline position for the Assistant Referees to take. This ritual also allows the Referee to form a bond between his team, and gives the match officials time to discuss any particular game points.

The Fourth Official can be given the responsibility for obtaining and inspecting the match balls. Don't wait for the Referee to give you this responsibility - get to the ground early and complete this task before the other officials arrive.

The Fourth Official should be fully prepared at all times, to take over either as the Referee, or one of the Assistant Referees. The Fourth Official should ensure that he arrives at the ground with additional equipment such as spare flags, clipboards, coins, whistles etc.

Pre-match instructions.

The Referee will normally brief his Assistant Referees and the Fourth Official before the game commences. This will allow the Referee to instruct the other officials on what he expects them to do during the game, and to make clear what the responsibilities of each of the individual officials are. The briefing also allows the other officials to discuss and to help the Referee with his match plan. Most Referees are willing (and actively seek) input from all of their team. The contents of pre-match briefings are discussed on the Assistant Referee page on this web. The Fourth Official's particular responsibilities are discussed throughout this ' Fourth Officials ' page. The Referee will explain what signals he expects from his Assistant Referees' and Fourth Official. The competition rules should also be discussed. This will ensure that all the officials are aware of: Length of play? Whether extra time will be played if there is a draw? The number of permitted substitutes? Any particular competition variations to the normal rules? Etc.........................

Fifteen minutes prior to kick-off.

Some competition rules require an inspection to be made of the players' equipment (look for earrings, finger rings, sharp damaged studs etc.) The Senior Assistant Referee or Fourth Official may be delegated to do this task by the Referee. Besides this, they may also be asked to check any 'Team-Sheets’, and to ensure that any other pre-match paperwork has been dealt with correctly.

Some further Fourth Official pre-match responsibilities are as follows:

Ensure that the substitutes are seated (or located) in the correct place before the game starts.

Keep the key to the officials' changing rooms on their person.

Organize when the floodlights need to go on, and find out beforehand who is responsible for doing this.

Check all the balls.

Check and obtain and verify completion of the team sheets in good time.

Agree with the Senior Assistant how substitutions will be dealt with, and what signals are to be used between themselves and the Referee.

Clarify how to bring to the Referee's attention, any incidents on the field of play (or off the field of play) which merit a sending off. Seeking the Referees attention can be managed through the Assistant Referee who is nearest to the Fourth Official. If the Fourth Official has seen a violent conduct incident on the field of play, which has been missed by the other officials, he can signal directly to the Referee, or he can approach the nearest Assistant Referee and ask him to signal to the Referee.

Each Referee will have his own view on which tasks he wishes to delegate to the Forth Official. A good Referee will ensure that the Fourth Official is made to feel an important part of the Team. The Referee should delegate important responsibilities to the Fourth Official. I have been a Fourth Official on several occasions, and it is very easy to feel the odd-man-out in the team. Invariably, the Referee and Assistant Referee will have traveled to the ground together; they may already know each other from officiating in their local area league. The Fourth Official can be made to feel unwanted - it has happened to me on several occasions. The Fourth Official can see himself as 'additional baggage' that the Referee has been foisted to accept. The Referee must not limit his conversation to his Assistant Referees, but must integrate all of his officials during conversations, especially those who may initially be shy or uncomfortable with any stronger personalities within the team. I remember one particular instance, when the Referee and his Assistants' obviously knew each other very well - they talked and talked and talked........ before the game. But they completely ignored me - the poor Fourth Official who was trying to make himself noticed in the corner of the changing room.

I felt unwanted. I felt as though my role was only ceremonial. I felt that I did not have anything particular to do except throw on the replacement balls. I felt that my colleagues were not interested in me. I felt that I was inferior to them. I felt like going home. These feelings affected my approach to the game, and I was confused as to what my responsibilities were (if any). Should I approach the grounds man to ask him to turn on the lights when it begins to get dark, or will the Referee ask him? Do I look after the substitutions? Who replaces the Referee, if the Referee becomes injured? Etc. etc. etc.....

Questions, questions. Needless to say, I did not enjoy the experience - but it has taught me the importance of integrating the team properly, particularly if one of the team is newly qualified, or is a youth Referee feeling his way in the game, or is just shy.

Immediately prior to kick-off

The Referee and his Assistant Referees, and sometimes the Fourth Official will enter the field of play together and move to center spot for the 'tossing of the coin' ceremony. The Referee normally carries the match ball, introduces his colleagues to the team captains, and conducts the coin tossing. In some competitions (and dependant on the Referees' pre-match briefing) the Fourth Official does not enter the field of play at the start of the game. Instead, he will be responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the technical area are complied with before the game commences, and that the replacement balls are readily available. It is also important for the occupants of the technical area to be seated properly as soon as the game commences.

The Fourth Official should make a note of the time of kick-off in each half.

The Fourth Official would not normally make a final inspection of the nets before kick-off - this task is normally done by the Assistant Referees before they move to their touchlines in readiness for the start of the game.

During the game, the Fourth Official usually positions himself between the team benches. This allows him to keep an even view and control of both of the teams' substitutes and officials. It also serves to put a barrier between the benches, thus preventing incidents spiraling out of control.

A useful man-management trick,
is for the Fourth Official to approach each technical area before the game starts,
and say something like the following:

" Is everything OK, let me know when you want to make a substitution, and enjoy the game"

This allows the Fourth Official to let everyone know who he is, and to show that he is human, and approachable and in-charge!

The Fourth Official will very often have to take the jibing brunt from both sets of technical area occupants. He is the first official in the firing line of abuse and aggressive behavior emanating from the bench. A decision made by the Referee, or Assistant Referee on the field of play, can often be vented against the Fourth Official, who is a prime target for close combat!!

The Fourth Official will invariably be angrily asked to explain the Referee's decisions during a game. It is of no use trying to explain any of the Referees decisions to irate managers - they only hear what they want to. The best method of approach is to try and pacify such shows of aggression, by allowing the aggressors a few moments to vent their steam. It must be remembered that football is a very passionate and emotive game - without those two facets, it would not be the game that it is.

One minute before kick-off

The Fourth Official should make a note of the kick-off time, and the relative position of the two Assistant Referees. He should also position himself to allow the Referee to see where he is standing. Try and make eye contact with the Referee - he may have left his coin or whistle in the dressing room, and you should be ready to help him. Keep a coin and a whistle and a watch on your person.

Thirty seconds before kick-off

The Referee is responsible for supervising the clearing of the field - the Fourth Official can also help in this duty.

The Referee should make eye contact with his Assistant Referees and the Fourth Official to ensure that everything is in readiness before he signals for the game to commence.

Kick-off

The Fourth Official should make a note of the kick-off time.

The Fourth Official should also start his stopwatch at the same time as the Referee starts the game. During the pre-match briefing, the Referee should have instructed the Fourth Official to either keep his watch running all the time, or to stop and start in conjunction with the Referee, thus keeping an accurate time for the duration of the half being played. It is advisable for the Fourth Official to have two stopwatches running. One that he allows to run continuously, and the other that he stops and starts in conduction with the actions of the Referee. This will ensure that, should the Fourth Official fail to restart his watch after a stoppage, the continuously running watch will at least save his blushes, should the Referee ask him for remaining time!

The Fourth Official is responsible for ensuring that the occupants of the bench are settled down as soon as possible. And to identify exactly where the replacement balls are being stored. The Fourth Official should then take a standing position between the benches, ensuring that both sets of managers and the Referee know exactly where he is. Do not stand directly in front of the benches, unless you want your head shouted off!

General Positioning

The Fourth Official's positioning throughout the match can be varied. But he should aim to stay in the designated Fourth Officials position, or in the same position unless he is performing a specific duty elsewhere. If a seat is available in this area, this can be used, but normally he should stand throughout the match - unless the Referee has told him otherwise. Remaining in the same standing position will allow the Referee to locate the Fourth Official quickly if required. If the Referee has delegated the Fourth Official to take over from him, should he sustain an injury, it is important for the Fourth Official to keep warm and move about - but not to block the view of the technical area occupants.

The Fourth Official would not be expected to enter the field of play (apart from exceptional circumstances - for example, to prevent a manager or substitute attacking another player on the field of play).

The Fourth Official's position should generally be near the technical area - but he can (if circumstances warrant it) walk all the way around the field of play. For example, he may need to warn substitutes warming up in a prohibited area near one of the corner flags. If the Fourth Official sees a violent conduct offence that has been missed by the other officials, he may need walk along the touchline to gain the Assistant Referee's attention - to enable that Assistant Referee to signal the Referee.

During the game

The Fourth Official is responsible for the following:

Monitoring the further removal from the vicinity of the field of play (according to the rules of the competition) of any player sent off by the Referee. In this instance, the Fourth Official should not be over-officious, as this could exasperate an already tense situation. The Fourth Official's responsibility in this case, is to shepherd the player away, and monitor (and deal with) potentially aggressive approaches by other personal. Do not touch the player being sent-off.

Keep proper match records such as noting which team kicked of first, the score and the time of kick-off etc.

Keeping detailed notes of any cautions and sending-offs. Noting the time, number and if time allows the nature of the incident.

The Referee usually delegates the control of the technical area (bench) to the Fourth Official. This will include management of any substitutions throughout the game, and controlling and bringing to the Referee’s attention any misconduct emanating from the bench. Bring to the Referees attention, incidents emanating from the technical area (bench) or from substitutes, such as, dissent, or offensive, insulting or abusive language committed by words, or actions (including gestures).

Keep both of the technical areas under observation throughout the match. If a problem arises with the technical area occupants, the Referee will discuss the extent of the problem with the Fourth Official before taking the appropriate action. The objective for dealing swiftly with this type of behavior is to protect the spirit of the game, and to maintain the authority of all of the officials. Do not expect the Referee to always agree with you - if you are overruled, support the Referee's decision. For instance, if the Fourth Official wants a member of the Bench to be sent-off, but the Referee decides to only caution the culprit, then the Fourth Official should 'bite his tongue' and not openly disagree with the Referee. The Referee is solely responsible for administering disciplinary action in the match. Avoid giving any suggestion of resentment when the Referee acknowledges your advice but did not act upon it as you would have liked.

Be constantly aware of the general movement and whereabouts of the Club officials, substitutes and any another team personnel. Do not become involved with match incident conversations that do not relate direct with the duties of the Fourth Official. Do not attempt to justify any of the Referee’s decisions. The Fourth Official must be alert to attempts by team officials to engage him in argumentative discussion concerning decisions made against their team. The Referee is the final decision-maker on all matters concerning play. There will also be occasions when the Fourth Official will need to calm down abuse from the technical area occupants, directed towards the nearside Assistant Referee. In such cases, the perpetrators must be warned in strong terms to behave themselves. Situations where bad behaviors or abuse warrants action by the Referee, must be brought to the Referees attention by the Fourth Official immediately, and dealt with accordingly.

Look out for misconduct or other incidents that occur out of the view of the Referee and the Assistant Referees.

Encourage celebrating players, who have approached the technical area, to prepare for the kick-off without unduly wasting time.

Any technical area occupants, who leave the area to give instructions to their players, should be asked to return.

Monitor the time, and let the Referee have confirmation (or time remaining) by use of the usual discrete ‘time-down’ hand signals when required.

Taking decisive smaller actions against the technical area occupants early in the game will very often prevent more serious situations arising later.

The Referee should ensure that the bench occupants and the substitutes and managers know beforehand that the Fourth Official will be responsible for looking after them - although the Fourth Official himself, can make this known to the bench. This then allows the Assistant Referee on the 'bench side' of the field of play, to concentrate fully on the game and allows for greater responsibility and control of the ‘Bench’ area by the Fourth Official.

Water containers should not be thrown onto the field of play, but passed to players from the touchline (if the Referee allows this)

The Fourth Official is also responsible for indicating to the Referee when the wrong player has been cautioned because of mistaken identity or when a player has not been sent-off, having been seen to be given a second caution or when violent conduct occurs out of the view of the Referee and the Assistant Referees. The Referee, however, is ultimately responsible for deciding on all points connected with play.

Treatment of Injured Players

Although the safety of the players must always be the main priority, concerns have been expressed about the loss of playing time caused by the assessment of injuries to players, and their removal from the field of play. Referees must add the full amount of time lost at the end of each period of play, for stoppages due to injury treatment and for any other delays in play.

Keep alert and deal with players leaving and re-entering the field of play either to adjust their equipment, or when they have bleeding injuries or blood on their uniform. If (in his pre-match instruction) the Referee has given the responsibility for checking players re-entering to the Fourth Official, the Fourth Official can decide when the equipment or bleeding has been properly dealt with. He can signal the Referee himself, when a player is ready to re-enter the field of play (or he can ask the nearest Assistant Referee to signal the Referee on his behalf. The return of players into the field of play should be done as soon as possible, and when the Referee has signaled a suitable moment for re-entry. Players should not be allowed back on the field of play until the Referee has beckoned them on by a clear signal.

If the Referee specifically wants to take the responsibility of checking the players himself, then the Fourth Official should signal to the Referee when the player is ready to be checked prior to re-entry.

Players, who have left the field of play to have their equipment adjusted, are only allowed to re-enter during a stoppage in play. (See Law 4)

Players who have left the field of play to be treated for an injury, can re-enter on the Referee's signal during play, but the returning player must enter along one of the touchlines - he is not allowed to enter along the goal line (unless play is stopped).

When an injury occurs, the Fourth Official should prevent team officials (or the technical area occupants) from rushing onto the field of play without the Referee's permission. Use gentle persuasion to achieve this. The trainer should only come onto the field of play after receiving a signal from the Referee. Use discretion when small children are concerned, and do not be over-officious if trainers or parents rush onto the field of play to comfort a small child.

To prevent unnecessary aggravation prior to sorting out problems (such as requesting substitutes to warm up in a different area), the Fourth Official can engage the help of the team manager or coach, rather than directly approach the substitutes himself.

If there is undue interference or improper conduct by the Fourth Official, the Referee will relieve him of his duties and make a report to the appropriate authorities.

Be prepared to deal with substitution requests at any time during the game. The Fourth Official can be delegated the task of checking the players equipment before entry onto the field of play. Organizes and control all substitutions. Make a note of all proceedings. Check the substitutes' equipment before they enter the field of play on the halfway line. If their equipment does not comply with the Laws of the Game, the Fourth Official must inform the Referee, who will take the appropriate action. The Senior Assistant Referee is normally responsible for indicating to the Referee when a team wishes to make a substitution. But where a Fourth Official is available, this responsibility could be shared between the Fourth Official, and the Assistant Referee.

Check that the substitutes have been named on the official listings before being allowed onto the field of play. If both teams are making substitutions at the same time, keep the substitutes on their respective technical area sides.

If display boards are available, use them to show the number of the player leaving the field of play, and the number of the substitute player entering the field of play.

Only allow the substitute to enter the field of play, after the exiting player has left it.

Monitor substitutes when they are warming up - particularly if they are near (and interfering with) one of the Assistant Referees.

Prevent and deal with anyone (particularly substitutes) who interferes with the match officials.

Half-time

The Fourth Official should monitor the vacation of both of the technical area (or benches) occupants, and ensure that no confrontation takes place whilst players are making their way to the changing rooms. After gathering any equipment (records, sign boards etc), and checking that the match ball is in the possession of the Referee, he should join the other match Officials before making his way to the officials' changing room as a team to discuss any match points and compare records.

Before the commencement of the second half, the Fourth Official should position himself between the technical areas (or benches) in good time to monitor return of the occupants. He is also responsible for managing and notifying to the Referee, any substitutions being made during the half-time interval. Substitutes entering the field of play at the start of the second half, should wait at the half-way line with the Fourth Official, before being ushered onto the field of play after receiving the Referee's signal. The Fourth Official should also note in his records, the particulars of those players who have been substituted.

Extra-time

If extra time or the 'Golden Goal' is to be played, the Fourth Official should remind the occupants of the Technical area of the requirements of these periods of play. Prior to arriving at the game, the Fourth Official must make himself conversant with the competition rules for each game, and assist the Referee in ensuring that any transition between full time to extra time (or Golden Goal) is made in an organized way.

During kicks from the penalty mark, the Fourth Official can assist in ensuring that substitutes and team officials do not enter the field of play. He should also make a note of which players have taken kicks, and keep a result of the score (just in case the Referee gets in a muddle).

Full-time

The Fourth Official should once again, monitor the vacation of both of the technical area (or bench) occupants, and ensure that no confrontation takes place whilst players are making their way to the changing rooms. He should join the other match Officials before making his way to the officials' changing room as a team to discuss any final match points and compare records. In some cases, the Fourth Official will ensure that the match balls have been recovered. The Referee will compare match notes with the Fourth Official and his Assistant Referees, to ensure that no match details have been missed.

After the match has ended

Ensure that all of the equipment under the responsibility of the Fourth Official is gathered and returned to the correct place. Retrieve any balls if necessary - including the match ball (if this is not already under the control of the Referee). Join the Referee and the Assistant Referees as soon as possible, and do not get involved with players or team officials attempting to discuss match incidents.

Check and confirm match records with the Referee and the Assistant Referees in the confines of the officials' changing room. If there are any incidents that the other officials have missed, these must be imparted to the Referee for inclusion in the match report.

The Fourth Official should participate fully in any after-match discussions between the officials and any assessor. Review of post-match incidents is essential to team fulfillment and understanding. The match officials should stay together as a team until they leave the stadium or the ground. This will lessen the chances of being singled out and abused or harangued by irate players and team officials.

List of Fourth Official's Responsibilities.

- Arrive at the ground, and in the officials’ changing room early, and at the appropriate expected time. Dress smartly and in a confident manner.
- Assist the Referee to approach the game calmly and confidently. Adopt a friendly and fully co-operative attitude towards your Refereeing colleagues.
- Give the Referee every possible support, before, during and after the match. Keep eye contact with the Referee at all times during the game - this indicates that all matters under the Fourth Official's responsibility are under control.
- Be conversant with the competition rules before each game.
Take proper notice of the Referee's pre-match briefing, and politely clarify any uncertainty arising.
- Have all the expected Referee accoutrements in you pockets; such as spare whistle, notebook, tissues, coin etc......
- Carry out the duties delegated by the Referee, properly, smartly, efficiently and pleasantly.
- Participate fully in the Referee's pre-match and post match brief.
- Take responsibility for anything delegated by the Referee.
- Sort out the Referee's changing room supplies by interacting with the facility manager.
- Accompany the Senior Assistant Referee whilst he inspects the players' equipment before the game has started. (Checking players’ equipment will depend on competition rules).
Identify the Team Managers and Coaches, and discuss with them, substitution procedure, warm-up areas and injury procedures. And clear up any ambiguities concerning the Competition Rules.
- Assist with any administrative duties before, during and after the match, as delegated by the Referee.
- Obtain, and supervise the replacement footballs, where required. If the match ball has to be replaced during a match, provide another ball, on the instruction of the Referee, thus keeping the delay to a minimum. Speak to any 'ball-handlers' particularly about entering the field of play and retrieving extra balls on the field of play
- Remind the ball-handlers of their neutrality.
- Be fully prepared at all times, to take over either as the Referee, or one of the Assistant Referees.
- Conscientiously prepare yourself for either the Assistant Referee's role, or the Referee's role, should any of them become injured.
- Inspect the substitutes' equipment prior to entry onto the field of play. (This will depend on the requirement of the competition rules).
- Be the focal point for persons other than players, substitutes and team officials (e.g. stadium staff, security staff, ball-persons).
- Collect any Team Sheets prior to the game, and pass them on to the Referee.
- Make a note of the captains' numbers before the game commences.
- Organizes relevant paperwork during substitutions and verifying that the information is correct. And check that the substitutes have been named on the official listings before being allowed onto the field of play. Record the time of any substitutions.
- Inform the nearest Assistant Referee of any substitution request. And seek his help if needs be, to signal the Referee.
- Stand at the halfway line, by the halfway line flag with the substitute until the Referee signals for the substitution to take place. Use your common sense on local grounds where substitutes can sometimes forget that they must enter on the halfway line; or where there is no properly designated technical area.
- Be prepared to deal with substitution requests at any time during the game.
- If display boards are available, use them to show the number of the player leaving the field of play, and the number of the substitute player entering.
- Allow the substitute to enter the field of play - but only when the outgoing player has left the field of play.
- Having completed the specific substitution monitoring duties, quickly take up your normal position between the technical areas (or benches).
- Monitor substitutes when they are warming up - particularly when they are near (and influencing) one of the Assistant Referees
- Check the equipment of substitutes before they enter the field of play. If their equipment does not comply with the Laws of the Game, inform the Referee.
- When the end of time approaches, pass clear 'time remaining' signals to the Referee, preferably during natural stoppages of play. Indicate the last 5 minutes with appropriate number of fingers pointing downward against the background of the shorts. Time expired, signal = closed fist on the shorts, or fist to the chest (arm across the chest).
- Note the added time to be played at the end of each half - as indicated by the Referee. Advertise this additional time by the display of number boards etc.. (This only applies to top-level games).
- Supervise the departure of the teams’ or/and bench personnel at the end of each half.
- Can meet the Referee on the field of play at the end of each half, by quickly joining the Referee when he/she blows the whistle for half-and full-time.
- Leave the field of play with the other officials, as a team, and after the two opposing teams have departed or have otherwise ceased all competitive activities.
- Proceed to the officials' changing room at half time and at full time to discuss match details in a calm post-match discussion in privacy. Clarify any misunderstandings, confusion or breakdown of teamwork that occurred during the game, and agree what should be done about any misunderstandings.
- At half time and at full-time, check that the match ball is in the possession of the Referee - if not, then retrieve it.
- Avoid giving any suggestion of resentment when the Referee acknowledges your advice but did not act upon it as you would have liked.
- Work together as a team, and always back up the Referee's decisions.
- Prior to sorting out problems (such as requesting substitutes to warm up in a different area), to prevent unnecessary aggravation, the Fourth Official should engage the help of the team manager or coach, rather than directly approach the substitutes themselves.
- Don't comment or talk to the crowd or to the managers in such a way that will antagonize them.
- Retain a sense of humor.
- Be polite at all times to all people.
- Keep out of the way of the spectator's viewpoint and take the proper action if they encroach. The home team is responsible for the behavior of the spectators – seek help from the ground staff or security staff to deal with this.
- Keep alert always.
- Recognize and immediately respond to any gesture from the Referee that conveys his need for your assistance or advice. For example, the Referee may signal the Fourth Official to organize the turning on of the floodlights, due to inclement darkening weather.
- Record the name (if team sheets are available), and club identity of any player who has been disciplined by the Referee during the match. After the match, submit a report to the appropriate authorities on any misconduct or other incident that has occurred out of the view of the Referee and the Assistant Referees. Advise the Referee and his Assistants of any report being made.
- Keep alert and deal with players leaving and re-entering the field of play either to adjust their equipment, or when they have bleeding injuries or blood on their uniform. If given this responsibility, check the return onto the field of play, those players who have been treated for bleeding wounds or blood on the uniform, or after a player's equipment has been adjusted.
- When an injury occurs, prevent team officials (or the technical area occupants) from rushing onto the field of play before receiving the Referee's permission. Players should be prevented from re-entering the field of play until the Referee has beckoned them on by a clear signal. Use gentle persuasion to achieve this. Use discretion when small children are concerned, and do not be over-officious if trainers or parents rush onto the field of play to comfort a small child.
- Manage the Technical Areas, and keep both of them under close observation throughout the match.
Inform the Referee of any unruly or irresponsible behavior committed by the technical area occupants.
Inform the Referee if a player or substitute (a) has been cautioned or sent off based on an incorrect identification: (b) has not been sent off despite having received a second caution: or (c) has committed violent conduct out of the view of the Referee and Assistant Referees.
- Always keep players, substitutes and team officials under observation. Be aware of the general movement and whereabouts of the Club officials and any another team personnel throughout the game.
- Only authorized personnel are allowed inside the technical area. Remove any unauthorized personnel.
- Any technical area occupants, who leave the area to give instructions to their players, should be asked to return. Always speak in a professional and calming manner.
- Taking decisive smaller actions against the technical area occupants early in the game will very often prevent more serious situations arising later.
- Prevent and deal with anyone else who interferes with the match officials.
- Prevent water containers from being thrown onto the field of play. These can be passed to players from the touchline (if the Referee allows this).
- Remain in the same standing position during the game (unless performing another duty). This allows the Referee to locate the Fourth Official quickly if required.
- Keep an eye on the behavior of the ‘ball-persons’ (for example, ensure that they do not show favoritism to one team. Or enter the field of play etc.)
- Do not become involved during the game, with match incident conversations that do not relate direct with the duties of the Fourth Official. Maintain a professional composure throughout.
- The Fourth Official should participate fully in any after-match discussions between the officials and any assessor.

The responsibilities shown above, increases the authority of the Fourth Official and allows him to take action in situations concerned with actual play, and with situations not concerned with actual play.

The listing above serves to remind you of the complexities of being a Fourth Official. I suppose that it will not be too long before we see a Fifth official!

And you thought that the Fourth Official's task was easy - Not any more!!!!!!!!!!!