Directives (6)

6. Control of Trainers Benches and Technical Area
2008/09 Directives

Definition of Terms

‘Technical Area’

The ‘Technical Area’ extends 1m (1yd) on either side of the designated seated area and extends forward up to a distance of 1m (1yd) from the touch line. Clear, correct markings are to be used to define this area, including a centre line to divide technical areas that abut each other.

The ‘Trainers Bench’ relates to the seating area within the technical area also known as ‘team bench’, ‘dugout’ or other means of housing or protecting those Managers, coaches, substitute players and support staff, named on the team sheet, during a match All clubs must provide separate trainers benches adjacent to the pitch for the sole use of team officials, medical staff, substitute players (and any substituted players) for both the Home and Visiting Club. Trainer’s benches shall have direct access onto the field of play, be under cover, contain a minimum of 11 seats and be within the marked technical area.

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Only those team officials and substitutes (and any substituted player) listed on the team sheet may occupy the trainers bench
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A team official may convey tactical instructions to the Players from the edge of the Technical Area during the match. He must return to his position after giving these instructions. His ‘Position’ is defined as the seating of the ‘Trainers bench’. It is not permissible for a team official merely to spend time standing forward of the seating area without satisfying his role of conveying tactical information.
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Whilst Competition rules allow two persons to stand it is only permissible for one person to stand forward of the defined seating area at any one time, a second standing person must confine himself to the line of seating. Failing to comply with the reasonable requests of the fourth official in this respect may be considered as irresponsible behaviour.
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With the exception of the two team officials and any substitutes who are warming up or warming down, all other personnel are to remain within the confines of the technical area except in special circumstances, for example a physiotherapist or doctor entering the field of play, with the referees permission, to assess an injured player.
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The role of the coach is only to convey decisions of a tactical nature to his team, he is not permitted to comment on the decisions of the referee, the assistant referees or the actions of his opponents. To do so may be considered as irresponsible behaviour.
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It is acknowledged that, in addition to the persons named on the team sheet in certain competitions (13 in the Premier League, FA Cup, Football League Cup and 11 in the Football League and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy) some clubs employ additional support staff. It is not permitted for these persons to occupy any part of the technical area, the tunnel area or the area immediately adjacent to the field of play and the technical area. The only persons permitted in this area are those persons ‘authorised’ by the home club and bearing identification to that effect (Medical staff, stewards, police officers, etc), the fourth official shall ensure compliance and have the power to request the removal of unauthorised personnel.
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The fourth official has the authority to inform the referee of irresponsible behaviour by any occupant of the technical area/trainers bench, the referee is required to apply such disciplinary sanctions as it appropriate and report his actions to the appropriate authority.