Directives (14)

14. Mass Confrontation
2008/09 Directives

The following guidelines should be adopted in the event of mass confrontation situation:

Assistant Referees

* The Assistant Referees should quickly adopt the most appropriate viewing position of the incident
* At the conclusion of the incident the assistant referees should be prepared to offer assistance to the referee confirming the identify of players involved, their location and any other relevant information
* The assistant referee patrolling the touchline where the technical area is located may have additional problems with the occupants of the technical area. The first priority should be the on-field incident


Referee

* The Referee should avoid jumping in but stand back and observe the incident
* Players who are seen to be striking, kicking or acting aggressively should be identified as opposed to those who are clearly trying to separate the offenders
* Once the confrontation has subsided and before the game has restarted, the referee should consult with the assistant who has been observing the incident. He may consult with both assistants before taking any disciplinary action
* The required disciplinary action should then be taken. Offending players should be moved to a position where all the other players can still be observed. Where action requires the dismissal of two or more players ensure they leave the field of play individually to prevent further misconduct
* The Football Association expects that your priority should be to identify and punish accordingly:
o The instigators
o Any player whose action clearly escalates or inflames the situation

Fourth Official

* The fourth official assists the referee at all times
* In the event of mass confrontation the fourth official’s priority should be the conduct of the occupants of the technical area
* At the conclusion of the incident the fourth official should bring to the attention of the referee anything he may wish to report