Information

Match Assessors

GUIDELINES SEASON 2007/08

Guidelines

GUIDELINES for PGMOL REFEREE ASSESSORS for the 2007/08 Season

Referee assessors must follow the instructions and apply the evaluation criteria detailed below.

The purpose of observing referees and assistant referees in Select/National/Panel list matches is:

• To assess and measure performance

• To ensure a correct and consistent interpretation of the Laws of the Game

• To give advice where necessary on how referees can improve their performance

• To provide management information for the Referee Coaches and Managers to assist in identifying and developing strengths and areas of improvement for all officials

• To identify key decisions and incidents that may require further video investigation.

The Assessor’s Report Form

A standardised report form will apply for all matches on Select, National and Panel League appointments. Its primary purpose is to achieve uniform marking for all officials. All previous marking schemes should be disregarded.

Marking the Referee and Assistant Referee

The assessor primarily evaluates the overall performance but must also take into account key match incidents and decisions. Each section on the report form will be assessed on the basis of the incidents that occurred during the match and summarised accurately.

A competent, experienced and conscientious assessor should:

• Vary marks according to the level of the performance and the challenge presented to each official;

• Use a wide spectrum of the marking scale;

• Recognise that a referee / assistant referee will start a game at a standard efficient level of performance but the PGMOL expectations are that match officials should at least attain a standard plus highly efficient performance in each Competition

• Any report containing a mark below 69 must mention at least one area for improvement in the relevant narrative section. There is no change from previous seasons when the pendulum started with a mark of 50.

A standard plus highly efficient performance will be the expectation of the PGMOL separately for Premier League, Football League and Panel League competitions. It is vital that all assessors bear this in mind and do not change their marking tolerance after the first few matches or at any stage of the season in each competition. The marks awarded will be recorded on the individual match officials’ reports and they will be entitled to see the actual marks.

Marking Scale

The following scale must be used to apply the appropriate mark:

90 – 100 An outstanding performance in a “very challenging” match

80 - 89 An outstanding performance in a “challenging” match

70 - 79 A performance that is highly commendable and achieves a very high standard

60 - 69 A highly efficient performance expected at this level

50 - 59 A standard performance but falls below the expectations at this level

40 - 49 A below standard disappointing performance

30 - 39 A poor and unacceptable performance

Key match incident marking

In reaching a mark as above, the assessor must consider overall performance and the accuracy and credibility of key match decisions. If a key error is detected, the assessor must assume that it has been seen or should have been seen by at least one (but maybe more than one) match official. If, through a serious and / or obvious error of judgement and / or lack of control, the mark given to the match official must reflect this and the following deductions made:

Deduct 10 marks

When a serious and / or obvious error occurs the following criteria will operate:

A Mark of 10 (ten) is to be deducted from the overall mark awarded. However, when a Key Incident is dealt with incorrectly, the maximum mark that the Match Official may be awarded is 59.

A Serious and / or Obvious error, therefore a Key Incident should be one of the following:-

• DENIAL OF AN OBVIOUS GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY (DOGSO) DEALT WITH INCORRECTLY.

• PENALTY KICK INCORRECTLY AWARDED, or a PENALTY KICK NOT AWARDED.

• VIOLENT CONDUCT NOT DEALT WITH CORRECTLY IN LAW.

• MASS CONFRONTATION NOT DEALT WITH CORRECTLY IN LAW

• GOAL AWARDED OR DISALLOWED INCORRECTLY.

• ANY INCIDENT THAT HAS A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE MATCH THAT WILL REQUIRE FURTHER INVESTIGATION

Examples: 1.

Mark Awarded	66
Less serious / obvious error	10
Final Mark	56

Example 2

Mark Awarded	69
Less serious / obvious error	10
Less second serious/ obvious error	10

Final Mark

The above key errors relate to the marking of referees. However, please refer to the list on page 4 of key errors by assistant referees

There should be no double counting by assessors, i.e. if a Law 12 error is a Key Incident and the ten marks are deducted there should be no further deductions for this error in the overall report. However if the assessor is of the opinion that a Match Official makes Law 12 error of judgement(s) that are not key incidents, this should be reflected in the final mark and reference to them made in the report narrative (e.g. missed cautions).

Assessors should understand that one of the perceived weaknesses of previous schemes is the failure to reflect key decision-making accuracy in the marks. This can be the result of assessors giving the benefit of doubt or, more usually, the assessor not being in a suitable position to make such judgements categorically. Use of technology or referral will be available under this system in some competitions (please see Key Match Incident Recording Sheet).

Useful guidelines / reference points for each heading on the report form are given below. These points are not exhaustive but should help the assessor identify a referee’s qualities and aspects for improvement / development.

TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE (including Application of Laws and Match Control)

• Control of the match at every stage

• Recognition of the nature and temperature of the match from the start

• Immediate and appropriate reaction to a change in the nature of the game

• Clear recognition and consistent punishment of fouls and misconduct

• Clear distinction between deliberate and unintentional handball

• Clear distinction between direct and indirect free-kicks

• Immediate intervention to protect players who are victims of serious foul play or violent conduct

• Recognition and consistent punishment of simulation, dissent, time-wasting

• Correct judgement and interpretation of: – denying obvious goal-scoring opportunities v stopping a promising attack

• Prescribed 9.15m measurement of the defensive ‘walls’ for free-kicks near the penalty area

• Correct supervision of restart of play at all stoppages

• Correct procedures for substitutions and treatment of injured players

• Correct judgement of the amount of additional time

• Sensible and appropriate use of the advantage clause

• Quick, clear and reliable decisions

• Allowing play to resume quickly when appropriate

• Effective signals (restrained but clear) plus appropriate use of the whistle

• Excellent physical shape, running well from start to finish

• Able to sprint over short and longer distances

• Close to play but not interfering or getting hit unnecessarily by the ball

• Flexible line of patrol

• Thoughtful viewing angles to enhance recognition of foul play

• Good positions for set play situations

• Anticipation of play and reading of the game

• Ball and play between the referee and assistant referee whenever possible

• Good teamwork to get the key decisions correct

• Recognises all assistants’ signals and reacts promptly and appropriately

• Good eye contact technique with the assistant referees

• Good sharing of authority within the team (fouls in the assistants’ vicinity)

• Correct acknowledgement of signals without stopping play in advantageous situations

• No contradictory decisions

• Immediate support for colleagues under pressure from players or team officials

• Reacts appropriately to misdemeanours in the Technical Area brought to attention by the Fourth Official

MANAGEMENT OF PLAYERS (including disciplinary control)

• Appropriate disciplinary sanctions

• Consistency and predictability in issuing cards; clear line from the beginning (not issuing cards too early unless mandatory i.e. if possible to manage)

• Disciplinary punishment (yellow card) for unsporting behaviour (including deliberately delaying a restart e.g. kicking the ball away after stoppages and repeated demands that an opponent be shown a yellow card etc.)

• Red card for tackles that endanger the safety of an opponent

• Red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity- courage when red card plus penalty award

• Cards shown calmly and clearly and punished player clearly identifiable

• Decisive management and correct action at mass confrontation situations, including identification of instigator(s) and key participants.

• Limited discussions with players and restricted gestures towards the players after a decision

• No tolerance of players who assault any match official

• Action against derogatory or inflammatory behaviour from within the Technical Area

• Natural authority shown and respected by players

• Assertive and self-assured, resolute and courageous, not afraid to make unpopular decisions

• Consistent and not influenced by other players, team officials or spectators – always objective • Always in control of emotions, calm and predictable, discreet and inconspicuous when appropriate

Areas for Improvement / Development and Strengths

In summarising the narrative, the assessor should set priorities and highlight the key areas of performance in this match, concentrating and if necessary prioritising on a maximum of three in each section.

Where appropriate, the assessor should offer possible solutions and alternatives for the referee and give concrete advice based on actual incidents from the match. These will usually have been discussed at the post match de-brief between the referee and the assessor but subject to video review or referral for key match incidents on the Premier League / Football League by assessors.

Pitch Inspections

Assistant Referees

Useful guidelines / reference points which are not exhaustive but should help the assessor identify the assistant referees’ qualities and aspects for improvement / development:

• Correct offside decisions

• Clear distinction between active and passive offside (wait and see technique)

• Accuracy of throw-in, goal-kick, corner-kick indications

• Appropriate and clear signals • Correct interpretation and indication of foul play when best placed to judge

• Brings to the attention of the referee offences committed behind the referee’s back with appropriate disciplinary advice where necessary

• Correct guidance for the location of a foul close to / inside the penalty area

• Does not exceed powers, does not intervene on too many occasions

• Assistance on goals in tight situations when the ball has just crossed the goal line

• Help with substitution signal

• Positioning and movement – level with the second last defender- smooth movement along the touchline

• Demonstrates sprinting ability for fast breaks and when regaining position after monitoring goalkeeper clearances

• Concentration and awareness generally

• Enters the field of play to assist with mass confrontation situations (optimum positioning)

• Eye contact with the referee

• Assists the fourth official with substitutions if required

The reports on assistant referees will concentrate solely on areas for improvement / development and strengths. Within these categories, the assessor should set priorities and highlight the key areas of performance, concentrating on a maximum of three in each section. Where appropriate, the assessor should offer possible solutions and alternatives and give concrete advice based on actual incidents from the match. Key errors should have been discussed post match but subject to video review or referral by the assessor in Premier League / Football League matches.

Fourth Official

It is understood that on some grounds, the work of the fourth official cannot always be seen and therefore a mark will not be given. However, the assessor will comment briefly (unless it is necessary to go into more detail) on the performance of the fourth official on the ‘Assessor Report on Match Officials’ form in respect of the manner in which the duties were carried out. Key Match Incident Recording

Assessors are asked to record all key match incidents on the form provided. These will be both correct and/or incorrect decisions and the assessor must request a video in order to view such incidents prior to completing the report. If there is a delay in obtaining the match video, it will be necessary to defer submission of all the match report until the video has been viewed. If a Club is unable to provide a video / DVD, the PGMOL must be immediately informed.

A key match incident will include any penalty kick awarded, non-penalty kick (correctly interpreted) or where a penalty kick should have been awarded, any dismissal or failure to dismiss, a “controversial” goal or “controversial” disallowed goal, a mass confrontation or any other incident that has a significant effect on the match and that will need further examination.

Assistant Referees’ Key Incidents will include Obvious and Serious incorrect Offside indications; (these may not necessarily mean that a goal is awarded or disallowed), the very fact that the Offside decision was incorrect may have denied the attacking side the opportunity to shoot for goal or set up a colleague to do so; it is the decision that is incorrect and therefore the outcome should not be a consideration. Ball over the boundary lines or not (this includes goal awarded or not); penalty kick awarded incorrectly or not awarded.

There will also be occasions when there may be collective responsibility by match officials and two or more could be culpable.

The assessor is asked to give brief details, including time of incident and whether the assessor has deemed the decision or handling of the action to be correct or incorrect.

On Premier League matches, a video recording of the match will be available to assessors before they make these judgements. On Football League matches, an assessor must review an incident where he feels that he has been unable (from his position) to judge the accuracy of decision-making and where he believes there is considerable reason for doubt. In this instance, the assessor must make his decision as to whether he agrees or not with the match official’s interpretation of events and record the mark according to that opinion. In the event of further evidence at a later stage, the assessor will be given an opportunity to amend his opinion and mark. On Panel League matches, there will be no referral of incidents for review; the assessor must decide on the correctness or otherwise of all key decisions and state his opinions on the recording sheet, marking in accordance with guidelines.

The assessor’s opinion of an incident or decision will be final where there is no significant evidence to prove otherwise.

Match officials have to be accountable for key match errors; it is of no consolation to the team that is on the end of a wrong decision that the referee has demonstrated good man-management skills throughout the game. Key errors not being reflected in marks weakens the credibility of the assessment scheme.

Keith Hackett

General Manager

Professional Game Match Officials Ltd