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Law 5

Law 5 — The Referee

This is your Law. Law 5 establishes that the referee has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game and that **decisions regarding facts connected with play are final**.

Authority

The referee controls the match in cooperation with the other match officials. Authority begins on entering the field of play for the inspection and ends when leaving the field after the final whistle.

Final decisions

Decisions regarding facts connected with play are final. The referee may only change a decision on realising it is incorrect or, at their discretion, on the advice of another official, provided play has not restarted.

Advantage

The referee may allow play to continue when an offence occurs if the offending team does not benefit. If the advantage does not materialise within a few seconds, the original offence is penalised.

Injuries

Play is only stopped for an injury the referee considers serious. For a slight injury, play continues until the ball is out of play.

Disciplinary powers

The referee penalises the most serious offence when several occur at once. Cards may be shown from entering the field until leaving it at the end, including half-time.

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