IN MATCH PROTOCOLS

The following protocols apply to all participants in the match. It is not the referee’s responsibility to ensure that all participants, players, managers, spectators adhere to this protocol.

• Players and match officials should adhere to social distancing of 2 metres where possible

• Practice good coughing and sneezing etiquette

• Use hand sanitiser at half time and before the commencement of the second half

• The referee should sanitise the whistle at half time and again at the end of the game

• No hand greetings are permitted (handshakes, fist bumps, high fives)

• No spitting is permitted

SOCIAL DISTANCING

social distancing

DEALING WITH MASS CONFRONTATIONS

• Referees should adhere to the following guidelines for dealing with a mass confrontation o Respect 2 metre social distancing guidelines

Do not touch any players

Do not get in between players

Do not get in close proximity to players Avoid excessive use of your whistle to deter any escalation

Stay back, observe and make a mental note of any offending players who may receive sanction

Once the confrontation has subsided, sanction the offending players from each team

SUBSTITUTES AND TECHNICAL STAFF

to warm up simultaneously

• Due to social distancing requirements substitutes may warm up behind their own goal

• Substitutes must adhere to 2 metres social distancing during warm-ups

• Match officials should check substitutes equipment prior to the game and practice social distancing guidelines when a substitution is being made

• Where leagues have sanctioned the use of 5 substitutes in line with the IFAB’s temporary law change the following guidelines apply. Each team will be permitted to use a maximum of five substitutes. Each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game. Substitutions may also be made at half-time. This does not count as one of the three opportunities for each team. If both teams make a substitution at the same time, this will count as one of the three opportunities for each team. Unused substitutions and opportunities to make substitutions are carried forward into extra-time Where competition rules allow an additional substitution in extra time, teams will each have one additional substitution opportunity Substitutions may also be made before the start of extra time and at half-time in extra time

INJURIES

can attend to an injured player or match official on the pitch. They should wear a face mask and gloves

• A designated room – where applicable – can be used for treating an injured player. A changing room may be used for this purpose

• Referees should follow the following guidelines for dealing with an injury:

Ask the injured player if they want treatment while maintaining 2 metres social distancing; Signal for the coach or club physiotherapist; Take up a position adhering to 2 metres social distancing and monitor the treatment of the injured player in accordance with the LOTG

SPITTING

• “Spitting at someone” is a sending-off (red-card) offence under the Laws of the Game

• Players and match officials have been advised that spitting is not permitted. However, referees should only act if a player breaches the LOTG by committing an offence in this regard

• Disciplinary sanction regarding “spitting at someone” is a matter for the competition organiser

• Where a competition organiser wishes to enforce protocols regarding spitting, any disciplinary decision should be taken by the relevant competition organiser or member association after the match.

• Use hand sanitiser before entering the field of play

• Respect 2 metres social distancing at coin toss

• If photographs are being taken, 2 metres social distancing must be respected

• Hand greetings are not permitted (handshakes, fist bumps, high fives)

• At the coin toss do not allow others to touch the coin

(f) Flags for assistant referees and club linespersons

• Match officials should not provide flags to club linesperson. The club linesperson should indicate ball out of play by raising their hand or by using an agreed item.

• Each match official should bring their own flag that only they will use when operating in a team of officials.