DO WE NEED TWO REFEREES IN SOCCER?

The Laws of the Game recognize only one system for officiating soccer games, namely the Diagonal System of Control (DSC), consisting of three officials – one referee and two assistant referees.

If Mr. Blatter doesn’t need Video Replays he should recognize the Dual System of Control (2-referee system). Dual System of Control would consist of 4 officials – two referees (one in each half) and two assistant referees. Just because it was tried in the past in Italy and was not that well received doesn’t mean they cannot try it again. Nothing works the first time it is tried.

One advantage of having two referees is that it would make the referee in each half closer to the action and would therefore make a correct decision.. A lot of calls in soccer are misjudged because the pitch is just too big for one ref. Some may say that’s why assistant refs (linesmen) are there but please note that linesmen just move along the touchline. If a linesman is on the western touch line of half A and action is taking place on the far side of half A would he be able to notice if it was a handball, foul, etc? Linesmen are mainly there to spot off-sides, ball going out of the touch line, monitoring throw ins, etc. By the way, do they still monitor throw-ins?

It’s either Video Replay or Dual System of Control. Blatter is a principled man. He said that we should forget about Video Replay in soccer for as long as he is the Chief of FIFA. So, the only alternative is Dual System of Control. Since there is a shortage of high quality refs the Dual System of Control should only be used in the final stages of tournaments.

Even having two referees won’t guarantee fair calls. Refs have made wrong decisions while being 2 yards from the action. In the absence of Video Replay, I think the fourth official should be watching the game on a TV. He should notify the ref when the ref makes a wrong decision. The refs decision should be rescindable. Refs already have headsets so communication between the ref and the fourth official wouldn’t take more than a minute.

Mr. Blatter, what say you?