retired_lilliepf

So after Keane's sending off yesterday which "may" have involved Dowd asking the opinion of the 4th official as to whether it was a red card do you think the 4th official should have a bigger role in the officiating of a match.

Whatever happened yesterday it was not a red card whether rennie was asked or not (he was so close he should have needed to ask) but i personally would not be against the referee having the option to ask his 4th official to look on a monitor about certain decisions if he has not seen it or does not have a c;ear view

However if he has seen an incident like Dowd did yesterday it should be his decision and his alone. Don't think it would work if they both have an opinion on the same incident as if hey differ then who is right, there cannot be a long debate about the decision during the match so the ref on the pitch has to judge how he sees it even if he might get it wrong. But he should still have the option if he has not seen an incident at all or very clearly.

kwchannell89

i agree, not red, ref was close enough to see himself ffs, unless he's blind(which is actually very likely seeing the incident). and yes it might be a good idea to get the opinion of the fourth official for decisions the ref is not right next to.

BobbyK

The He can already ask the fourth official if he didn't see it. He can ask if he didn't see it, or in a case of mistaken identity, but that's it.

retired_srini_aug1

yeah. He should be able to be called upon like the linesman.

kwchannell89

He can already ask the fourth official if he didn't see it. He can ask if he didn't see it, or in a case of mistaken identity, but that's it. </BLOCKQUOTE>


so any idea why he asked yesterday? did he not recongnize keane?

BobbyK

Because he didn't know whether to send him off or not of course. The fact he wasn't supposed to ask doesn't change why he did.

retired_suzannechua

Not for decisions the 1st referee views clearly. But if something happens off the ball and the ref doesn't see it, the 4th official should be able to alert the ref.

retired_hvporter

Don't know much about the incident yesterday, but ues, the 4th official should have a say in decisions during a match. He should also have access to TV camera angles and replays too. Administered carefully, it would be very effective.

retired_bball3378

not sure there's any point in speculating on this case because we don't know what was asked (or to who, could have been the AR rather than the 4th official?)...but in general, I think it's sensible for the referee to use all the resources available. I wouldn't want to see the 4th official being able to over-ride decisions, but if he's being used as an extra pair of eyes / opinion then there's nothing wrong with that.

retired_barbara45

No, especially when it means our only chance of scoring gets sent off