When the fourth official was first appointed to international matches some years ago there were many who described his appointment as one of a looker on – an official who was present but who took no part in decisions. After a few months it was realized that this was not so especially when various leagues around the world opted to take up FIFA’s proposal and started to officially appoint a referee to position himself between the two benches. Malta was one of the first countries to take up this option.

Many people still think that it is the fourth official who decides the amount of added time to be awarded at the end of each half. In fact his job here is to inform the players and spectators as it is the referee who signals to him the time that must be added on. The fourth official, however, has great responsibilities in some instances. He has got to indicate to the referee if any violent conduct occurs out of the view of the referee and assistant referees.  Despite his report, the referee retains the authority to decide on all points connected with play. To give a simple example, if a player infringes the laws of the Game behind the referee’s back and the fourth official draws his attention to this, it is then up to the referee whether he gives a verbal warning or issues a yellow or red card.

Another important role is that of ensuring that players and officials on the benches behave in an appropriate manner and do not in any way interfere with play, provoke supporters or generally misbehave in an irresponsible manner. Again here the referee is the sole arbiter and after quickly evaluating the information given to him, must decided whether to take any action.  The Fourth official must always put in a separate report at the end of the match on any incident which has occurred out of the view of the referee or his assistants.Fourth officials in Malta have played their part on a number of occasions to draw the referee’s attention to any infringements of the law. On most occasions the referee has acted in accordance with what was said to him by the official. A referee realizes that the fourth official has, in many instances, a clearer view of what happens, say on the benches. Again here although the referee is more concerned with what is going on during actual play he is the one to decide on what action to take after he has been called over by the fourth official.

Players who enter the field of play as substitutes must submit themselves to the fourth official’s authority to have their equipment checked by the referee.  He must ensure that shinguards are worn, that boots are not dangerous to other players and any other inspection that is required by the Laws of the Game. Spectators see this happening regularly every time a coach decides to call on one of his players to take over from another who is taking part in the game. There are also administrative duties which the  fourth official has to carry out before, during and  after the match. Locally these include ensuring that team lists are handed in on time, producing the team shirts to satisfy the referee that there is no clash of colours and reporting anything which he considers not to be in accordance with the Laws.

In Malta the fourth official has to be mentally prepared to take over from the referee if, for any reason, the central official is unable to continue. It has happened on at least three occasions in the past five years. As in our Premier League the fourth official is always a member of the Top Division Referees Pool, then he would automatically take over. In the other divisions, where there are no fourth officials, it is the senior assistant referee who runs the game if the referee is  in any way incapacitated.

It is clear that the fourth official’s role is not an easy one.. Is he a lonely man? I suppose one can say that he is as he stands and surveys the game and the benches, however he knows, that any information he gives to the referee can possibly have an effect on the game. This is why he has to be forever attentive and not take a laissez affair attitude.