The Basildon Referee

The Basildon & District Society of Association Football Referees

50th Anniversary 1957-2007

Pitch Inspections

It is essential that when undertaking pitch inspections, referees remain independent and remember their responsibilities in respect of both the Laws of Association Football (LOAF) but also the law of the land.

It is obvious that clubs will start to put pressure on referees to get games played after a 3 week layoff, but reality must prevail and 10-14 days of freezing overnight temperatures will NOT be undone by 2-4 hours of winter sunshine; even if the top surface is softening, the bedrock of the ground will still be frozen and meaningful football and the ability to remain upright will be seriously compromised. 95% of the pitch being playable is not sufficient to allow the game to take place – the game must be allowed to take place at full speed and with no additional risk to the players.

DO NOT START A MATCH YOU ARE UNLIKELY TO FINISH!!!!!!!!

Whilst the LOAF  indicates that referees cannot be held responsible for on field actions in a court of law, I can assure you that referees can be, have been and will be sued by insurance companies for liability in respect of injuries sustained on the field of play – especially when  ground conditions may have been a factor.

In short:

• Inspect the pitch as early as possible in full knowledge of the weather forecast (if appropriate)
• Try to be accompanied by a club official from each team, if not most certainly the home club
• You make the inspection – not them
• It is your decision – not theirs; time, distance travelled and the number of weeks since they last played are not factors to be considered
• Make your decision, stick to it and leave the ground quickly to avoid ongoing unnecessary discussion / disagreement with your decision
• If you are entitled to expenses claim them; your colleague who tries the following week when you don’t will have problems!
• Once you leave the ground, don’t worry what happens next – it’s not your problem – simply report the postponement to the appropriate authority.