What Happens If A Referee Gets Injured In Football? | Sports Digest (2024)

Every football match is overseen by a referee, who has complete authority to enforce the Rules of the Game.

Every football match is overseen by a referee, who has complete authority to enforce the Rules of the Game.

Refereeing may be quite difficult since he must be totally aware for 90 minutes or longer.

There may even be instances where the assigned referee is unable to begin the game or becomes wounded during the game.

In this circ*mstance, what will happen? Will the game go on without the referee?

Here’s what you should know:

What happens if a referee gets injured in football?

If a referee is wounded, he or she will be replaced by another match official who possesses a referee’s licence. This official will take control and guarantee that all football regulations are followed appropriately during the game.

According to the Rules of the Game, each tournament must have its own regulations about who substitutes the referee if he is injured.

Who replaces an injured referee in football?

If the medical personnel deems the referee incapable to continue officiating the match, he or she must be replaced. The fourth official will usually take over from the referee.

In most competitions, the fourth official will take the place of the injured referee.

The3 main officials that can take over from the referee include:

• The fourth official
• Senior assistant referee
• Senior additional assistant referee

The assistant referees are sometimes known aslinesmen or lineswomen.

Are there many examples when referees are injured?

It is a rare occurrence in football for a referee to be unable to start a match, or to be forced to exit the pitch after picking up an injury. However, it’s still quite possible!

Here are some examples of referees getting injured:

#1 Lee Mason (Premier League)

Referee Lee Mason suffered a calf injury during West Brom’s 1-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League.

He made it through the whole 90-minute game but was unable to begin as the fourth official as scheduled for his next assignment, a match between Sheffield United and Liverpool at Bramall Lane.

#2 Bobby Madley (Premier League)

On another occasion, on November 5, 2017, referee Bobby Madley was forced to leave the Premier League game between Stoke and Leicester due to injury.

Bobby Madley arrived at the Bet365 Stadium with an apparent thigh injury and was replaced by the fourth official, Jon Moss.

During the replacement, Madley had to hand up his match notebook, which included his red and yellow cards.

Despite his injuries, Madley was able to raise the board for replacements and extra time.

#3 Paolo Valeri (Serie A)

Referee Paolo Valeri was wounded during the match between Inter Milan and AC Milan in Serie A and was replaced by the fourth official.

Here is a video with the moment:

#4 Ted Unkel (MLS)

In the MLS, referee Ted Unkel collided with San Jose centre back Nathan, forcing him to be replaced.

The fourth official took over as referee, and it was his first appearance as an MLS referee!

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