Fourth Officials

[Donnywolf]

Fourth Officials

What the f*** are they supposed too do exactly ? Complete waste of space if their job consists of keeping a hyperactive Coach / Manager (theirs) inside the Technical Area.

I was watching him try and try again to keep their Coach in the Box. He was ignored again and again. After about 75 minutes he "grew some" and waved his hands in a "right that's your final transgression before I take action".

Under 10 seconds later the Bald One was back out of the box and the 4th Official did nothing at all - and it continued until the final whistle. Spoiled my enjoyment (yeah right) as it was like watching a Car crash

Are the 4ths wired up to the Ref ? If not why did he not call the Ref over and say this bloke is stopping me doing an efficient job ? And if he was wired up then same question applies

I would sooner see (if we are to have 4 Officials) the 4th used as another Ref (so you get one Ref and one Lino in each half) to help them all be more efficient at decision making.

They should be much nearer the action and not being constantly outpaced by young fit athletes - which clearly most Officials are NOT

[hifi76]

Completely the opposite at Bournemouth. It was the first time I saw a player get booked on the 4th official's recommendation. I can't remember which booking, but I think it was Tamas, it looked very innocuous, the ref and lino saw nothing, but the 4th official was miked up, called the ref over who after deliberation pulled out the yellow card.
That is what the 4th officials are supposed to be there to do, but currently it is at each referees discretion as to what extent they use the 4th official for.

[POD]

My understanding is that the 4th official can only intervene in cases of misconduct, usually violent conduct.

I remember that Paul Dickov said after the Barnsley match that the 4th official thought that it was a penalty when Woods fouled Husband, but he was unable to intervene.

Last night, I wonder if it was the 4th official that pointed out the violent conduct on Husband for the red card? I watched the ref and his reaction indicated to me that he didn't see it.  As for the West Stand linesman, as he didn't flag, then presumably he didn't see it either.  The East stand linesman would have been too far away, so that only leaves the 4th official.

I don't know if it has been mentioned on here, but just prior to the sending off, Husband stood on the players hand whilst he was lying on the ground.  This was perhaps accidental, but is clearly why the Watford player reacted by kicking out.