Dealing with the Match Commissioner

The host union appoints the Match Commissioner.

In the event of a Citing the Match Commissioner is required to:

  • Inform the affected team and player
  • Arrange the judicial hearing
  • Gather statements from match officials
  • Compile relevant judicial information about the player.

If there is a citing, warning, yellow or red card, keep them informed of any issues and any actions you have taken.

If there are no issues from your perspective and no referrals from the teams, signal that your role is complete and the match is clear as soon as possible.

Referral within the identified time window

You may receive a referral directly from:

  • Team management
  • The CCLO
  • Match Commissioner on behalf of a team.

Your role is to:

  • Ensure that it is in writing and gives you sufficient information as to the nature of the incident and the time that it occurred
  • Ensure that it is within the time window for the tournament rules
  • Request the team manager to provide extra material such as statements, medical reports, or video/photographs if available
  • Inform them of your decision once you have made it.

Note: there is a variable level of knowledge about this process within teams. As a result, you may need to be very clear on your language and educate team management on the process. They can only refer the matter to you and you make your own decision. They are not citing the player they have identified, and their referral does not automatically mean that the opposition player is going to be cited.

Referral outside the identified time window

If you are the first point of receipt of a team referral you need to note the time it was received. If this is outside the referral time frame this must be made clear to the team making the referral.

The matter cannot be reviewed unless in exceptional circumstances and subject to the approval of the appointed Judicial Officer. 

Note: it may be a late referral about a matter that the CC is looking at already. This can be relayed to the team. If you receive a Team referral after the Broadcaster has closed down at the venue, the chances of getting further footage at that stage is highly unlikely. It is possible that footage may be available some days later from the Broadcaster archive, or from the teams own resources, but this cannot be guaranteed.