For something like 13 years in the 1960s/70s, I ran a Quiz on the Laws of the
Game for football clubs in the area. It was organised under the auspices of the
Reading Referees' Association but I set all the questions and acted as
quizmaster. I was reminded of this last Wednesday, when I attended the Private
View of a new exhibition in the art gallery at Reading Museum.
As my wife is an artist I have attended many Private Views at this and other galleries when her
paintings have been hung but this was entirely different. It was entitled
'Homes of Football' and consisted of exceptional photographs of football grounds
including the Madejski Stadium and Elm Park. It concentrated on the fans' view
of the game. If you are a fan do go along and see it.
The photographs are in two halls on the second floor but don't miss the complementary exhibition just
behind the museum shop on the ground floor. This features local football
memorabilia and it was here amongst the other paraphernalia and trophies that I
spotted a winners' plaque from my Quiz on the Laws, won by Reading Casuals.
Earlier in the evening I met one of the winning Casuals team, David Downs,
now the Reading FC Historian, in the Madejski Gallery. It's not only football
that John Madejski has put his money into in the town. This time it was David
who had a question for me and a very interesting question it turned out to be.
First a little background to the Law. Not everyone
ealises that substitutes come under the authority of the referee, whether or not they are called upon to play.
Substitutes can be 'sent off without ever coming on to the field of play. Take for
instance, a substitute, sitting on the bench, dislikes a referee's decision and starts
calling him names, using insulting, abusive or offensive language. The referee
could quite rightly 'send off' the offending substitute, preventing him taking any
part in the game. The team would be one substitute less.
David Downs' question, concerned a recent match where the Gillingham
player/manager, Andy Hessenthaler, had named himself as a substitute. During
play the fourth official called the referee over, and after words Hessenthaler was
banished from the touchline. However, later in the game he brought himself on
as a substitute. David's quite legitimate point was, he must have been banned
from the touchline for something serious. Perhaps like Sir Alex Ferguson and
Harry Rednapp, he swore at the fourth official. If this was the case, as he was a
named substitute, shouldn't he have been prevented from coming on the field
later.
I unravelled this with the help of our home grown Football League referee,
lain Williamson, who also gave me a lot of the information on Football League
assessors that I mentioned last week.
It appears that things are not what they
seem. Are they ever? Andy Hessenthaler was sent from the touchline, not for
any bad language but because he refused to conform with the requirements of
the Technical Area.
The law says that the occupants should remain within the
confines of the Technical Area which ends at least one metre from the field of
play. Only one team official at any one time may convey tactical instructions to
the players and must then return to his position. I understand that the fourth
official couldn't get Hessenthaler to stay inside the technical area, which is why
he called the referee over. Although he would still be reported for this
misconduct, it was an offence as a manager and not as a player/
substitute. The referee therefore could allow him to take his place on the field as a substitute.
If I ever run a quiz on the Laws of the Game again, at least I've got a starter for
ten.
Dick Sawdon Smith