Referee (association football)

During a game of association football, the referee is the one who is in charge of interpreting and applying the Rules of the Game to the players on the field. The referee is the match official who has the ability to start and stop play as well as take disciplinary punishment on players and coaches while a game is in progress. The referee is also the authority who makes the ultimate judgement on all facts linked with play.

The referee at most levels of play is assisted by two assistant referees, who were formerly known as linesmen. These officials provide the referee with information regarding whether or not the ball leaves the playing area and whether or not any violations of the Laws of the Game occurred while the referee was unable to see them. The referee has the ability to override a judgement made by an assistant referee, and he or she makes the ultimate decision on any determination of fact that must be made. At higher levels of competition, the referee may also be assisted by a fourth official who oversees the technical areas of both teams and helps the referee with administrative tasks. At the very highest levels of competition, the referee may also be assisted by additional assistant referees and/or video assistant referees. The member country organisations of FIFA are responsible for the licencing and training of referees and other game officials.

Regulation of referees and assisting referees occurs at the national level in most countries. FIFA mandates that each national governing body set up a referees committee, which must be made up of retired officials and serve as the body in charge of officiating matches inside that nation's borders. In addition, FIFA requires referees to demonstrate that they have adequate physical fitness and understanding of the Rules of the Game, in addition to undergoing yearly medical examinations. In most cases, higher level matches need referees to have a larger amount of expertise in order to properly officiate them. In the FIFA International Referees List are featured only the most prestigious officials, who are also the only ones who are authorised to referee international matches.