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Law 6

Law 6 — The Other Match Officials

The referee does not work alone. Law 6 defines who assists and, above all, the limits of each role: assistants **indicate**, the referee **decides**.

Assistant referees

They indicate when the ball leaves the field, which team is entitled to the restart, when a player is in an offside position, and offences the referee has not seen.

Fourth official

Assists with administrative duties, controls substitutions and substitutes' equipment, and indicates added time. Must inform the referee of irresponsible behaviour in the technical area.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR)

May only intervene in four categories: goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty, direct red card and mistaken identity. Any other situation falls outside its scope.

The clear and obvious error principle

The VAR does not re-referee the match. It only assists when there is a clear and obvious error or a serious missed incident.

The final decision

In every case, including a VAR review, the final decision always rests with the referee.

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