Bad Weather & Poor Pitch Conditions

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You may also want to read Hard Pitches

Advice for referees undertaking pitch inspections. 

1.      Say nothing about the conditions or the likelihood of play until both captains are present

 

2.      Reds want to play, Blues want to play.

Do not comment on the conditions of the pitch and start the match. If at any time the Referee has doubts as to the safety of the players, s/he should stop the match

 

3.      Red and Blue don’t want to play

Don’t start.

 

4.      Red want to play, Blue don’t.

 

i)                    The Referee needs to get Blue captain to say, “in our opinion the pitch is not fit” or similar. In other words, put the onus on the team to clarify why they do not want to play.

 

ii)                   Once that is said, in almost every case the referee should say that the game is off because “the pitch is not fit”, “the pitch is unsafe”, “my only consideration is the safety of the players” 

 

iii)                 In exceptional circumstances (i.e. a beautiful September day, Blues have lost 2 players on the way to the match) the referee will say “the game is on” and if Blues refuse to play the matter passes to the league or cup organising committee. The referee does not have to make a report at this time but a simple note explaining the circumstances to the Society Secretary would be appropriate.

  

5. The least said the better at all times