| Case Study # | 16-2013 |
| Date | Various |
| Competition | Barclays Premier League |
| Fixture/Result | Various |
| Referee/Badge | Michael Oliver, Kevin Friend, Lee Probert, Neil Swarbrick |
| At Issue | The joy of being a 4th |
We’re heading into the high school playoffs here in Georgia, and that brings to mind one crew position we don’t normally see: the 4th official. All of the high school playoff games have a 4th. But the adjustment can be challenging at times for some of us because we have so few opportunities to be a fourth official.
Of course, we can read the enthralling USSF publication “Guide to Procedures for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials”. But, somehow, that just seems to fall a little short of the actual, real world job description.
Which reminds me of a quote by a former national referee, who once told me that the primary job of a fourth official is “to be a. . .chew toy for the coaches”. (This space is generally “G” rated, so, I’ve taken some editorial license with the original quote.)
It just so happens that I have some relevant frames showing the fourth officials hard at work. I’ve taken the opportunity to have a little fun at the manager’s expense. Hopefully, the supporters of said manager’s sides take it as it is intended: a harmless bit of fun.
