Referee gets final call on matches and hooliganism

THE REFEREE has the final say on whether a football match will be interrupted and the police are obliged to comply with that.

This was the outcome of a conference that took place yesterday morning at the Justice Ministry in view of last week’s interruption of a league game when fans started lighting flares.

The police departed from the stadium grounds just seconds before the final whistle, claiming they couldn’t offer protection when the crowd was being rowdy, forcing the referee to cancel the match.

The meeting hoped to clarify all parties’ roles in the implementation of the recently passed football violence law. It took place in the presence of Justice Minister Kypros Chrysostomides, police, the Attorney-general, the chairman of the Cyprus Sports Association, Cyprus Football Association and representatives from all the first division football clubs, as well as the Referees Association.

The aim was to specify the roles and authorities of everyone during matches and specifically who has the final say in when a game needs to be interrupted.

According to an announcement by Chrysostomides, the referee always has the final say on what goes on in a match.

The police asked to be responsible for what takes place off the pitch, but it was eventually agreed that the police can offer their advice to the referee, depending on what is going on in the stands or stadium. In the end, the final decision lies with the referee.

If the chief official decides that a match should continue, the police must not leave the stadium but if deemed necessary they can call for back-up.

But the minister’s message to the police force was clear: under no circumstances will the police depart from a match – instead they should stay and offer protection to the supporters and referee

According to Chrysostomides there were some reaction from the clubs but they eventually all agreed with the minister’s announcement.

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