Assistant referees signal the ball leaving the field and the restart, a player in an offside position who may be penalised, substitution requests and the goalkeeper and goal line at penalty kicks. The fourth official supervises substitutions and replacement balls and shows the minimum added time.
Who does what
Here are the main duties of each of these match officials.
| Official | Main duties |
|---|---|
| Assistant referees | Ball leaving the field and the restart, offside, substitutions requested, the goalkeeper and the goal line at penalty kicks |
| Fourth official | Substitutions, equipment checks, replacement balls, the minimum added time, reporting irresponsible behaviour in the technical area |
| Additional assistant referees | May indicate the ball crossing the goal line, including a goal, and which team gets a corner kick or goal kick |
| Reserve assistant referee | May replace an assistant referee, the fourth official or an additional assistant referee who cannot continue |
What assistant referees indicate
Under the IFAB Laws of the Game, the other match officials assist the referee, but the final decision is always taken by the referee. For example, the assistant referees indicate when a player in an offside position may be penalised; whether to penalise is the referee's decision.
They indicate when the whole ball leaves the field of play and which team is entitled to the corner kick, goal kick or throw-in. They also indicate when a substitution is requested, and their assistance also includes monitoring the substitution procedure. Like the other on-field match officials, they assist the referee with offences when they have a clearer view than the referee.
At penalty kicks, they indicate whether the goalkeeper moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and whether the ball crosses the line. If additional assistant referees have been appointed, the assistant referee takes a position in line with the penalty mark.
An assistant referee may also enter the field of play to help control the 9.15 m distance.
What the fourth official does
The fourth official's assistance includes supervising the substitution procedure, checking a player's or substitute's equipment, and the re-entry of a player following a signal or approval from the referee.
It also includes supervising the replacement balls and informing the referee of irresponsible behaviour by anyone in the technical area. At the end of each half, including extra time, the fourth official indicates the minimum amount of additional time the referee intends to play, so the figure is a floor rather than an exact final total.
Additional assistant referees and the reserve assistant referee
Additional assistant referees may indicate when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, including when a goal is scored, and which team is entitled to a corner kick or goal kick.
At penalty kicks, they may also indicate whether the goalkeeper moves off the line early and whether the ball crosses it.
A reserve assistant referee may replace an assistant referee, the fourth official or an additional assistant referee who is unable to continue, and may also assist the referee in the same way as the other on-field match officials. Video match officials, including the video assistant referee, also assist the referee.
FAQ
What does a linesman signal during a match?
The assistant referees indicate when the whole ball has left the field and which team gets the restart, when a player in an offside position may be penalised, when a substitution is requested, and at penalty kicks whether the goalkeeper moved off the line early and whether the ball crossed it. They also assist with offences when they have a clearer view than the referee.
Who shows the added time board?
The fourth official indicates the added time. The figure is the minimum additional time the referee intends to play at the end of each half, including extra time.
What is a reserve assistant referee?
It is an on-field match official who may replace an assistant referee, the fourth official or an additional assistant referee who is unable to continue. The reserve assistant referee may also assist the referee in the same way as the other on-field match officials.
What does the fourth official do about the technical area?
If anyone in the technical area behaves irresponsibly, the fourth official informs the referee.