Time for In-Goal Referees

Yes, you read that right!

With all the controversy surrounding referee decisions throughout the years, which was heightened by the incidents (yes, plural) in the last two to three weeks, here is a solution which takes a step in the right direction.

Idea

The idea is similar to the Goal-Line Referees or Additional Assistant Referee (AAR) in Football implemented by UEFA in 2010 for Europa & Champions League and Euro 2012. This was a few years before Goal-Line technology and Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

AAR is positioned behind the goal line and assists the referee in observing any incident that may occur near the penalty area. They will ensure that the Laws of the Game are upheld, informing the Referee of incidents of any kind that they may otherwise have missed, particularly in key areas of the field like the penalty area and its surroundings, and informing the Referee of their observations through a wireless communication system. Their positioning also gives a good view to assist the Referee in ‘ghost goal’ type incidents.

Background & Implementation

Though the idea may sound new to some Rugby fans, some research produced evidence that it is not a new concept. In-Goal Referees have been used in Rugby 7’s. You can read more about it in World Rugby Laws here from number 32-38.

Note: In-Goal Judges are not required when a TMO is present.

Primary Duties of In-Goal Referee

• Adjudicating tries or touchdowns.
• Adjudicating dead ball.
• Reporting foul play.
• Adjudicating when the ball or the ball-carrier has gone into touch.

1. In-Goal Area

The In-Goal Referee can move around in the in-goal area to get a view of game-related incidents, making sure that they do not affect play.

2. Positioning – General Play

Both In-Goal Referees should stay in line with the ball in play & then move with the ball as play proceeds keeping in line with the ball where possible.

3. Positioning – Try Situations

As the action nears the try line, the In-Goal Referee needs to position him/herself so that they have a view of the ball being grounded. The Main Referee, In-Goal Referee & Touch Judge will need to create a triangle positioning so that each Referee has a good view of the action.

By having an In-Goal Referee, the Main Referee will be able to avoid unnecessary incidents like the one we had against Trinity v Isipathana (below image). One can see how the ‘triangle view’ can help make a better decision.

4. Positioning – Penalty Kicks into Touch

The In-Goal Referee stands close to the corner flag, adjudicating & giving a signal to indicate to which side of the corner flag the ball went.

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Why Not TMO?

For the TMO to be implemented in the matches, you need to have –

• Multiple cameras covering different angles. More cameras = more manpower = more equipment & technology = higher costs.

Schools Rugby is the biggest revenue-generating tournament aside from international Cricket. However, the majority of the revenue revolves around the 5-6 big name schools out of the 16 A Division schools. Keep in mind that the main tournament sponsor sponsors the tournament, which includes a total of 84 schools. Therefore, the main sponsorship amount is distributed amongst the 84 & the Schools Association.

• High quality live production. With most teams preferring to host their matches on Saturday to maximize the ticket revenue (there are at least 5 matches on a Saturday), the quality of the productions too gets diluted, with equipment, production and technical manpower expertise distributed amongst the matches. On any given day, only two TMO matches can be accommodated with top quality production currently available in Sri Lanka.
• Proper facilities for Production. Only very few grounds have the facilities to accommodate a TMO production.
• Television Match Officials (TMO). Even if the above issues are answered, the Referees Society needs to address whether they have competent, qualified TMOs for multiple matches on a single day. Mind you, not any Referee can be a TMO.
• If TMO is to be implemented, it should be for all the matches of the week, irrespective of the importance of the match.

Simply speaking, the TMO system is expensive & a logistical nightmare.

In-Goal Referees are not 100% foolproof (not even TMO), but would increase the percentage of getting a decision correct. It helps the Referee to give a much more informed decision.

Having In-Goal Referees is cost effective, fair to all teams in terms of implementation and most of all, can be introduced as early as the Super Round (as you cannot do it in the middle of the 1st Round). The Super Round has a lot at stake, unless TMO is used for those four matches. Either way, a certainty for Schools Rugby 2025!

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