Directives

19. Protocol for Managing Pitch Inspections, Post

2008/09 Directives

Postponements and Abandoned Matches

• Standing Order 5 – Maintain liaison with Home Club for 24 hours prior to kick-off
• Be aware of content of Football League letter attached to these instructions, with regard to Football League matches

POINTS TO NOTE – THREE MAIN CONSIDERATIONS

1. SAFETY OF PLAYERS

2. SAFETY OF, AND CONDITIONS FOR SPECTATORS

3. THE MATCH AS A SPECTACLE

• Report to the SECRETARY on arrival at the ground
• Speak to the Groundsman – and solicit his advice
• If there is doubt – ask for the local weather forecast and speak to the meteorological office personally
• Speak to the Club Safety Officer - latest possible time for turnstile opening
• Inspect pitch regularly to assess progress – water, frost fog or snow
• With EARLY PITCH INSPECTIONS, ensure that any remedial work required is with you monitoring / supervising; to ensure that the work is being carried out
• Liaise with Managers BUT the decision as to whether the match is played is yours
• Inspect thoroughly – use a ball, and playing staff if necessary
• Be seen to be active! Adhere to deadlines, keep all informed; especially the away Team Manager if he is on route and can be contactable (home club will have the Secretary’s mobile number); or if the away Club are in a hotel locally. If they are within a reasonable time/distance from the ground it is only courtesy that you await their arrival
• Fog creates its’ own problems. Use perspectives from ground level and the back of a stand – check forecast (remember that there is a responsibility to paying spectators)
• When dealing with such elements as frost or ice – remember that the highest temperature of the day is usually around mid-day. Get a forecast if necessary of the projected temperature for the time when the match is due to conclude
• Make a considered decision and inform all parties
• Question – would you require advice from the Match Assessor or PGMOL Observer?

ABANDONMENT

• It is Essential that you give the Safety Officer sufficient time to prepare Stewards. Clarify in pre-match briefing
• If necessary liaise and review at half-time
• DO NOT BE INFLUENCED BY THE SCORE
• If completion of the game is in doubt, confirm your policy with the Club Managers
• COMMUNICATE! Be resolute and your PARAMOUNT consideration is for the Safety of the Players – protect the Integrity of the Competition.
• Following the Postponement or a Match being Abandoned, liaise with the home Club Secretary, to ensure that an announcement is made to the media.(see following letter regarding Football League matches)

When matches are in doubt because of spectator safety rather than player safety the decision should be taken in conjunction with the Match Commander/Safety Officer. It is not a decision that should be taken solely by the match referee.

The following letter is issued annually by the Football League to all Clubs, National List Referees, Assistant Referees and Assessors and provides useful information hence the reason for incorporating it in these instructions.

Dear Secretary

Procedure for Early Pitch Inspections

With the potential for surfaces to start deteriorating as winter months approach, I set out below the procedure regarding early pitch inspections as follows.

• Contact should be made with the visiting club at least 24 hours prior to Kick-off to ascertain the travelling arrangements of their team and supporters because it is   essential for everyone to have these arrangements in mind.
• Contact the Fixtures Department on 0870 443 9214 with an “early warning” and seek advice.
• Contact the match referee, informing him of the Situation and that he may be required to perform an early inspection of the ground on match day prior to the visiting club and supporters commencing their journey.
• If a very early inspection is considered necessary (e.g. Friday morning for a Saturday afternoon match) contact the Fixtures Department. This is also true when a morning inspection is required for an evening match. In such cases, the League might well arrange for a local referee to make an inspection.
• If anyone other than the match referee is authorised by The League to inspect the ground, he will report to the League Office and a decision will be taken in the office, based on his report.
• Whilst responsibility for the initial action rests with the home club, it is not permissible for a club to make a decision to postpone a match. Neither is it allowed for a club to invite anyone other than the match referee to make an inspection. It also needs to be stressed that the match referees’ decision to play or postpone is final.

At all times, should ensure that news of any pitch inspection or postponement is relayed to BBC Radio Five Live. Regular bulletins will be broadcast with news of matches affected by the weather so that supporters are kept informed. The telephone numbers are 0208 624 9200 for weekend matches and 0208 225 7035 for midweek matches.

Regardless of weather conditions prevailing at the time, it is recommended that, during the months of December, January and February the home club makes contact with the match referee at least 24 hours prior to the time of Kick-off so as to be aware of his plans and travelling arrangements.

Select Group Referees are to ensure that any request by a club for either an early inspection or attendance at the stadium is given priority over the pre-match arrangements in place for select officials.

S M Whiteside

Head of Fixtures, Events & Competitions

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