THE REFEREES

The authority of the referees

Each match is controlled by two referees, the referee and the second referee,
who have full authority to enforce the Futsal Laws of the Game in connection
with the match to which they have been appointed.

Powers and duties

The referees:

• enforce the Futsal Laws of the Game
• control the match in cooperation with the assistant referees, where
applicable
• ensure that any ball used meets the requirements of Law 2
• ensure that the players’ equipment meets the requirements of Law 4
• keep a record of the match
• stop the match, at their discretion, for any infringements of the Futsal Laws
of the Game
• stop the match because of outside interference of any kind
• stop the match if, in their opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensure
that he is removed from the pitch. An injured player may only return to the
pitch after the match has restarted
• allow play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in their
opinion, only slightly injured
• ensure that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the pitch. The player
may only return on receiving a signal from the referees, who must be
satisfied, either directly or through the third referee, that the bleeding has
stopped
• allow play to continue when the team against which an offence has been
committed stands to benefit from such an advantage and penalise the
original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
• punish the more serious offence when a player commits more than one
offence at the same time
• punish the more serious misconduct when a player commits more than one
act of misconduct at the same time
• take disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off
offences. They are not obliged to take this action immediately but must do
so when the ball next goes out of play
• take action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a
responsible manner and may, at their discretion, expel them from the
technical area and the surrounds of the pitch
• ensure that no unauthorised persons enter the pitch
• indicate the restart of the match after it has been stopped
• give the signals described in the section of this publication entitled “Referee
and Assistant Referee Signals”
• position themselves on the pitch as described in the section of this
publication entitled “Positioning with ball in play”, which is part of
the “Interpretation of the Futsal Laws of the Game and Guidelines for
Referees” (Law 5 – The Referees), when they are required to do so
• provide the appropriate authorities with a match report, which includes
information on any disciplinary action taken against players and/or team
officials and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the
match

The referee:

• acts as timekeeper and third referee in the event that the assistant referees
are not present
• suspends or abandons the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of
the Futsal Laws of the Game
• suspends or abandons the match because of outside interference of any
kind

The second referee:

• replaces the referee in the event that he becomes injured or indisposed

Decisions of the referees

The decisions of the referees regarding facts connected with play, including
whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.
The referees may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at
their discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that they have
not restarted play or terminated the match.
The decisions of the referee prevail over those of the second referee if both
signal an infringement and there is disagreement between them.
In the event of undue interference or improper conduct, the referee will relieve
the second referee or the assistant referees of their duties, arrange for them to
be substituted and make a report to the appropriate authorities.

Responsibilities of the referees

The referees (or where applicable, an assistant referee) are not held liable for:
• any kind of injury suffered by a player, official or spectator
• any damage to property of any kind
• any other loss suffered by any individual, club, company, association or
other body, which is due or which may be due to any decision that they
may take under the terms of the Futsal Laws of the Game or in respect of
the normal procedures required to hold, play and control a match
• a decision to stop or not to stop play to allow an injured player to be
removed from the pitch for treatment
• a decision to require an injured player to be removed from the pitch for
treatment
• a decision to allow or not to allow a player to wear certain apparel or
equipment
• a decision (where they have the authority) to allow or not to allow any
persons (including team or venue officials, security officers, photographers
or other media representatives) to be present in the vicinity of the pitch
• any other decision that they may take in accordance with the Futsal Laws
of the Game or in conformity with their duties under the terms of FIFA,
confederation, member association or league rules or regulations under
which the match is played
International matches
A second referee is mandatory for international matches.
Reserve assistant referee
In tour naments or competitions where a reserve assistant referee is appointed,
his role and duties must be in accordance with the guidelines contained in this
publication.

Such decisions may include:

• a decision that the condition of the pitch or its surrounds or that the
weather conditions are such as to allow or not to allow a match to take
place
• a decision to abandon a match for whatever reason
• a decision as to the suitability of the pitch equipment and ball used during
a match
• a decision to stop or not to stop a match due to spectator interference or
any problem in spectator areas
• a decision to stop or not to stop play to allow an injured player to be
removed from the pitch for treatment
• a decision to require an injured player to be removed from the pitch for
treatment
• a decision to allow or not to allow a player to wear certain apparel or
equipment
• a decision (where they have the authority) to allow or not to allow any
persons (including team or venue officials, security officers, photographers
or other media representatives) to be present in the vicinity of the pitch
• any other decision that they may take in accordance with the Futsal Laws
of the Game or in conformity with their duties under the terms of FIFA,
confederation, member association or league rules or regulations under
which the match is played

International matches

A second referee is mandatory for international matches.

Reserve assistant referee

In tour naments or competitions where a reserve assistant referee is appointed,
his role and duties must be in accordance with the guidelines contained in this
publication.

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