Competition Rules

I've had games in 5-6 different competitions so far this season and always try to ensure I have an up to date copy of the rules for each one but sometimes I rely on the last season's handbook.

It's not something I'll be doing in future as one of my friends has fallen foul of a change since last season. He decided to play extra time after the scores were level in a cup game and the rules had been changed so the teams went straight to kicks from the penalty mark as a means of deciding the winner, with no extra time being played. The FA have decided to "rest" him for a couple of weeks to help focus his mind on avoiding future administrative errors!

It seems for others that even last season's handbook wouldn't have saved them. A District Cup game was abandonned by the referee when he picked up an injury meaning he couldn't continue. He should have made the two teams agree a replacement who would have continued to referee the game on his behalf with all the power and responsibilities of an appointed official. These arrangements have been in place for many years and the referee concerned is very experienced so he is no doubt upset by his mistake. His error will probably mean he takes no part in later rounds of the competition.

For my own part, I failed to report a late kick off in a cup quarter final last season which resulted in me missing out on the semi final stage for the first time in four years. So a salutary lesson for all referees - know the Laws but also know the rules too!!!