Referee Q's and A's

Ask the Ref! is an exclusive and popular feature on this website, which enables fans to ask Questions to the Principality Welsh Premier League Referees.
Here are some of the Questions and Answers that we have received.

QUESTION 1
I would like to know if there are any Referees Assessors at matches? If a referee has a bad game, can he come under investigation?

Principality Welsh Premier Referees are assessed on all League games, but not on Loosemores Cup matches. If the referee is perceived to be under performing, in the first instance he receives a warning and his performances are strictly monitored. If there is no improvement the Referee concerned can be removed from the list.
This Question was answered by Principality Welsh Premier League Secretary, John Deakin.

QUESTION 2

If a player was to pass a ball backwards to another on his team that was in an offside position would this be offside?

This Question was answered by Principality Welsh Premier League Referee, Neil Morgan from Gorseinon.

If the first player with the ball is nearer to the opponent's goal than his team-mate that he passes to. This would mean that the second player is not nearer the opponents' goal line than the ball when it is played to him, and therefore, he is not in an offside position.

An example of this, is when a winger takes the ball to the by-line and crosses it back for a team-mate running in.

If however, the question means that the first player is facing his own goal and then backheels the ball to his teammate who is in an offside position, then he would be offside, and an indirect free kick would be awarded, as the ball only has to be touched or played by one of his team.

QUESTION 3

What is the current interpretation of the Offside Law...

Offside Position

It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if:
* he is nearer to his opponents'; goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent.

A player is not in an offside position if
* he is in his own half of the field of play or
* he is level with the second last opponent or
* he is level with the last two opponents.

Offence

A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
* interfering with play or
* interfering with an opponent or
* gaining an advantage by being in that position.

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
* a goal kick or
* a throw-in or
* a corner kick

Infringements/Sanctions

For any offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

Decisions of the International F.A. Board

Decision 1
In the definition of offside position, "nearer to his opponents' goal line" means that any part of his head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. The arms are not included in this definition.

Decision 2

The definitions of elements of involvement in active play are as follows:
* Interfering with play means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate.
* Interfering with an opponent means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent.

* Gaining an advantage by being in that position means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a post or the crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position.

QUESTION 4

Is it permitted for the referee to tell his assistants to change ends at half time with the teams? In what circumstances? And can teams object if they do?

"It's quite a common practice used by many Referees. Some of the reasons behind this are;

1. That the assistants keep with the same defensive line throughout the full 90 mins enabling them to know what tactics they deploy i.e. flat back 4, or a sweeper system.

2. Both assistants are of equal experience and by doing this gives them both a chance to learn how to deal with technical areas and substitutes .

3. It could be possible that the senior assistant in the first half has had a problem with the dug outs which could cause a lapse in concentration which may lead to a change at Half Time.

Finally, as regarding the team objecting, this is purely a matter for the officials on the day."

This Question was answered by Principality Welsh Premier League Referee, Steve Hames from Aberdare.