Directives (4)

4. Entry to and Departure from the Field of Play
2008/09 Directives

Match officials are to lead the teams on to the field of play and are not to leave the playing area at half time or at full time until all the players and team officials of both sides have left the playing area, unless the referee feels there are exceptional circumstances, which necessitate an earlier exit from the field of play.

Law 12 now defines that the referee has the authority to take disciplinary sanctions, as from the moment he enters the field of play until he leaves the field of play after the final whistle. This definition makes it clear that the authority of the referee in terms of issuing disciplinary sanctions starts as he enters the field of play and ends when he leaves the field of play. Any incidents after the final whistle which merit cautions or dismissals will be punished in the appropriate way. Offences in the technical area or tunnel after the referee has left the field of play will be reported as misconduct. It is therefore important that the referee is first on to the field of play and the last to leave