Out on a Limb

A few weeks ago I was appointed to the line in the Suburban League - to protect the innocent I will not say where, or who with.  The game came up after a prolonged period of rain and when I reached the pitch I was convinced that the match would not go ahead.

The referee and the other assistant were both there ahead of me and were clearly looking to play the match. I expressed my opinion but of course it is the referees decision and he wanted to play the game.

When we looked at the lines - he had already stated that he would be running right wings - I was of the opinion that the line I would have to run was not in a fit state. I thought it would be potentially dangerous to me because of a very slippery and muddy surface and two or three deep puddles near the centre line. I stated firmly that I was not prepared to run that line as I thought it was dangerous for me to do so.

The referee stated that he thought my attitude was poor and expressed his disappointment - but I note that he was not prepared to run left wings to assist us. He asked the other assistant if he would run on this line and he stated that he would do so.

After further considerations, about damage to the pitch etc. the game went ahead. It was a very good and competitive game and the referee officiated very well. There were no pitch-induced injuries and the other assistant did not make any complaints about his line.

The question is; was I right or wrong to take the stand I did. Do I even, within the laws of the game, have the right to do so?

My concern was that I could well slip over whilst running at full speed and injure myself, and because the conditions were evident prior to starting the match, I would not (forgive the pun) have a leg to stand on when it came to making a claim. What would you have done?

John Brown