Irish Soccer Referees' Soceity

Limerick Branch

	Substitution Procedure where a Forth Official is Involved Prior to the game, while both teams are still in the dressing rooms, the Referee must introduce his Fourth Official to the Manager of both Clubs and advise them that all substitutions will be conducted through the Fourth Official. Before the game commences, the Fourth Official will go to both dugouts and identify the Club Official who will take charge of substitutions. He will then provide that person with the official substitution forms and advise him that all substitutions MUST be conducted in the following manner: The Club Official brings the substitution form(s) duly completed to the Fourth Official The Fourth Official will, at this stage get his substitution numbers ready and proceed to the touchline. The player(s) coming on to the field of play joins the Fourth Official by standing to his left/right behind the touchline. The Fourth Official, being satisfied that the paperwork and the players equipment are in order, will then ask the Senior Assistant Referee to make contact with the Referee to advise him that a substitution is to take place and then proceed to the halfway line to assist with the substitution. During a stoppage in the game and following a signal from the Referee that the substitution can take place, the Fourth Official will then hold up the number board to indicate the number of:- (i) the player(s) coming off (ii) substitute(s) Only when the player being replaced has left the field of play, can the substitute enter. Non compliance with the above procedure could lead to a caution for the player(s) involved and/or the reporting of the matter to the appropriate authority. John Scanlon Senior Assessor © FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND