Refs ready to get up and running

WITH KDL fixtures due to restart on the weekend of July 19 the Irish Referee’s Society have been working hard behind the scenes striving to ensure their members are well protected when competitive games resume again.

They have set out their stall below and are asking all its members and all the various leagues around the country to comply with the measures they have set in place for the protection of its members and indeed everyone involved in the game at competitive level.

All players must be fairly rusty after the big three months shutdown and are eager to play at competitive level again. However, everything has changed dramatically since March and while everyone wants to get back playing again all the safeguards that are being put in place must be adhered to in rigorous fashion. Everyone involved in the game have pulled their weight during the close down but players, cannot go back playing thinking that everything is back to normal again.

There is a very long way to go before the status quo resumes and everyone involved in the game in every capacity must follow every guideline that is set out whether it is by the Government, Health Board, FAI, referees or District Leagues.

People’s health will always have to come before sporting activity and, while a few may find it difficult to accept this, it is of paramount importance that this clear message is delivered loud and clear to everyone involved in the game around the county.

All clubs and players should familiarise themselves with the details outlined in their set of guidelines below so that everyone can get back playing the game they love in a safe environment and risk fee.

These guidelines are an ongoing scenario and changes may occur before match games resume again.

My thanks to FAI Referees Inspector Jim McCarthy who has provided me with the guidelines all referees have got ahead of assuming duties as match officials again. All players, club officials, managers and League authorities should familiarise themselves with the stipulations which have been set up for their safety.

Referees are an integral part of football and we must ensure that we are well prepared prior to our return to play. This ‘Safer Return To Play - Match Day Protocol’ provides guidance and direction to match officials on how to manage the administration and the refereeing of games. The ‘Laws of the Game’ provide referees with all the necessary authority to deal with all on-field issues, whilst other matters should be reported to the leagues who run the competitions.

The primary aim of this protocol is to minimise risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus to as low a level as possible. The principles of risk mitigation are identical for training and for refereeing. This protocol must be followed in conjunction with all FAI Protocols which can be found here

All guidelines are underpinned by the principle that individual referees should only engage with practices that protect their health and safety as they return to refereeing in line with Government and HSE directives. We must take personal responsibility around our own health when making our decision to return to play.

The exact date of a return to play will be determined by the league you are assigned to and this will be guided by the affiliate body and Football Association of Ireland.

In the meantime, it is recommended that you continue to take some preparatory steps to be ready for a return to football.

Protocols for return to play and for what to do in various match situations such as a confrontation between players have been furnished by the Football Association of Ireland to the Kerry referee’s association