Match Assessors

MATCH DAY PROCEDURES 2007/08

Assessor Role on the day

Match Day Procedures for PGMOL Assessors – Season 2007/2008

Pre-Match

The assessor is required to make contact with the referee on the day before a game to clarify any minor variations to the standard pre match instructions.  It is stressed that assessors should take clear account of any possible travel difficulties and arrive in good time to take up their duties.

While the assessor’s presence in the dressing-room before the game has been helpful on occasions in the past with issues like team and goalkeeper colours, a more proactive approach by referees will be encouraged to ensure that any potential difficulties can be overcome before team sheet exchange.  With no “match day delegate” responsibilities, it is therefore not necessary for the assessor to be present at the security briefing or the exchange of team sheets except in all Panel League games and when the referee is in the first season of the National Group.  Assessors will be required to hear pre-match instructions on such occasions and when requested to do so by the referee.

While it can be helpful, the prime consideration should always be the preparation of the match officials and referees will be able to exercise their authority in deciding when and where the instructions are delivered.  While the attitude, authority and presence of the referee before the game can be revealing, the assessor is primarily there to record on-field performance delivery and questions about match instructions to assistants can be explored if necessary post-match.

The arrival of the assessor at the ground may bring him into contact with the match officials and this is perfectly acceptable.  However, a very brief courtesy visit 45 minutes prior to kick off should be made to check any last minute changes to personnel etc.  Otherwise, match officials should be allowed to complete their preparations as freely as possible. There might, however, be emergency circumstances where the referee feels that the assessor’s assistance might be useful.

There will be no requirement to observe warm-up procedures in all competitions.

Half-Time

There should be no contact from the assessor unless exceptional circumstances (i.e. match official injury or major game disruption) prevail. Under no circumstances should match incidents be discussed at half-time with match officials as this potentially could influence second-half performance and the assessor’s task is to measure and not influence performance.

Post-Match

The following procedures should be followed:

• Contact with the match officials will take place in all competitions

• The debrief is a very sensitive process so soon after a match and it is recommended that only key match incidents and main strengths / areas for improvement are discussed for each official

• The level of challenge or otherwise of the match might be discussed but the assessor should never reveal (or be influenced on) the possible mark to be awarded

• It is recommended that the de-brief take no longer than ten minutes but it is accepted that some incidents may require more in depth discussion and possible clarification from the assessor

• Assessors should make clear their thoughts on key incidents and should specify when a video will be requested as per the requirements set down by PGMOL and must only consider the actual incident under review

• If a key match incident subsequently comes to light after the assessor has left the ground, video evidence will be taken into consideration even though it is not mentioned in the post match debrief 

• It is expected that what is said in the debrief will be reflected in the main body of an assessor’s reports to ensure that there are no surprises for the match officials when they receive their written feedback 

In Premier League matches, the same procedure should apply and it should be agreed between the Referee / Match Delegate and Assessor how this will be carried out.  In any event, the Assessor should not liaise over performance with the Match Delegate and the respective discussions with the match officials should never be performed together.  For complete fairness to all officials and the integrity of the system, it is important that these two separate functions of match official monitoring remain discreetly segregated.

Referee Coaches and Managers will also not be present at the post-match discussion and it is also vitally important that the assessor and coach / manager do not discuss overall performance or possible marking until reports are submitted.

Assessors will still report on any incidents not witnessed by the match officials and worthy of further investigation by the Football Association. The assessor should include mention of such at the post match discussion.

Keith Hackett General Manager Professional Game Match Officials Ltd

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