The Referees' Report

Laws of the Game

Laws 5 and 6 (authority)

Law 6 - The duties of the assistant referees

When appointed, it is the duty of the assistant referees to assist the referee to control a match in accordance with the laws of the game.

Subject to the decision of the referee, assistant referees indicate:

• when the whole of the ball is out of play
• which side is entitled to a goal kick, corner kick or throw in
• when a player may be penalised for being in an offside position
• when a substitution is requested
• when any incident or misconduct has occurred out of the sight of the referee
• when any offence has been committed and the assistant referee is closer to the incident than the referee (this includes incidents in the penalty area)
• when at the taking of a penalty kick, the goal keeper moves forward before the ball has been kicked
• when a goal is scored.

Did you know?

Assistant referees (previously "linesmen") are appointed to assist the referees. The referee, however, has the sole responsibility for making decisions.

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