GLSL Referee Match Procedures
Returning an Already-Accepted Game Assignment
1) If the date-time is more than 48 hours before the scheduled match kick-off time you can decline the game by logging into your RefCentre account, going to your Schedule page; this is accessed via the Games menu on your account main page. The Schedule page displays all your future games by default. You can return a match that is more than 48 hours in the future by going to the far right of the schedule display and clicking the words “decline game” (in blue) directly beside and to the right of the game description to be declined.
2) If the date-time is less than 48 hours before the scheduled match kick-off time you must use the special E-Form titled “Decline an Accepted Match” providing all requested information. Our process will provide you with a return email confirming that you declined the match. Please note that the use of this form for matches more than 48 hours in the future will not be acted upon nor will they be acknowledged.
3) If the date-time is less than 24 hours before the scheduled match kick-off time you must perform step 2 above AND also call the Goulbourn Soccer Office at 613-831-1135. Whether you speak to someone OR get the answering machine please provide the following details about the game(s) you wish to decline:
a) The date(s), league(s) and game number(s)
b) Your name and your assignment position(s) (centre or assistant referee)
c) The reason for declining the match(s)
We will always try to find a replacement referee for the match. Note however, if the decline is made within 24 hours of the scheduled kick-off, the declining referee may still be held responsible for the assignment and may be subject to disciplinary action by the club. If this type of decline occurs with some regularity from a specific referee we are required to send that referee to the district for discipline!
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES may one referee ask another referee to cover one of their match assignments. This is a misdemeanor according to the Referee Code of Ethics set down by the Ontario Soccer Association. All assignments must be made either directly by the district or by local clubs that have been approved by the district. Any improper replacement of one referee by another is subject to some serious discipline by the province. Always, Always, Always use the above procedure to decline a game and avoid sanction by the district or the province.
How To Abandon a Match for Poor Weather
Once you have decided to stop a match for poor weather (according to the GLSL requirements) the process you use is as follows:
1) Blow your whistle to get everyone’s attention AND then note the current elapsed game time, match score and game conditions so you will know how to restart the match if the weather is cooperative.
2) Walk to the Touch Line, where it intersects with the Centre Line, on the side with the teams asking the coaches to meet you there.
3) Inform the coaches of both teams that you are “stopping the match temporarily” for the weather problem. Clearly explain the procedure so that everyone goes to the parking lot and remains in their cars until you decide to restart the match or to abandon it.
4) In the case where your match is on a pitch without lights it is reasonable to abandon the game immediately as there is very little chance you will have enough light to complete the game. This is reasonable because you must wait for 30 minutes AFTER the last lightening is seen and the related thunder is heard (the delay time to restart the match resets to 30 minutes after each new lightening/thunder crash is observed).
5) In the case where you are working on a field with lights you should make it clear that you will not restart the match until a minimum of 30 minutes AFTER the last lightening is seen and thunder is heard (same as above). You must also make it clear that they are to remain at the field until a decision to restart or abandon the match is made.
6) At any time during the weather delay you may decide that the weather is not going to clear up. At that point you contact each coach and indicate clearly that “you have decided to abandon the match because of the poor weather”. You must ask them to send their players home and you remind them to stay around to complete the paperwork for this match as described below. The reply to any question about “Who won?” is: “The League will decide later”.
7) If you reach the end of the 30 minutes and you are satisfied that the field is safe to resume play you should contact both coaches and your team of officials to inform them that you are restarting the match and that they should get their teams back on the field. The restart would be that noted in step #1 above and the match paperwork would be as if the game never had a delay.
8) If you decide to abandon the match as in 6) above or if the 30 minute time limit is reached then you must inform the coaches, players, and the other match officials of your decision. You should instruct the coaches to send their players home and you should send your match officials home as well AFTER completing the match paperwork as described in "How to Document a Match that has been Abandoned for Poor Weather".
How to Document a Match that has been Abandoned for Poor Weather
On both game sheets:
- Complete the sheets as normal with scores and all information required about cards you issued.
- Write at the bottom of both game sheets:
“Match was abandoned for bad weather in the XXth minute of the yth half.
The score at that time was HOME: aaa , AWAY: ccc
- Have both coaches and your match officials sign the sheets as normal.
- Return the game sheets to the coaches.
At home:
- Log into your RefCentre account and enter the game results. When the screen to enter the results is first opened the default selection is “Game Completed” and that is not correct. Please choose an entry from this drop-down list that suits the reason for abandoning the match. After pressing the “SUBMIT” button you can input all the information requested by the E2E software.
- Go to the Referee page of the Goulbourn website and fill in the E-Form with the title “Report an Abandoned Match”. This will allow the club to match up your game sheet report, the RefCentre payroll records and the E-Form report so as to be sure you get paid for the match.
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