SECTION 6: GAME OFFICIALS

6.1 GAME OFFICIALS. Game Officials for each Game must consist of the Referee, Assistant  Referee 1 (AR1), Assistant Referee 2 (AR2), and Fourth Official. A CONCACAF or USSF Match  Assessor may attend Games. The League Office will notify Teams of the Game Officials at least FOUR (4) days in advance of each Home Game by means of  the Game Notice, as shown in Exhibit C  (“Game Notice”). 

6.1.1 FOURTH OFFICIAL. The Fourth Official will assist with administrative duties and  procedures for substitutions and any other duties needed within the Game. The Fourth Official  must be situated at a table at midfield on the Team bench side of the field, between the two  Team benches, and even with benches (approximately FIVE (5) yards) outside the touchline. In the event there is a need for field communication with the Press Box/PA  Announcer or Stadium Clock Operator during the Game, the Fourth Official must notify the Field  Manager, who must communicate with the Press Box. In particular, the Fourth Official must  clarify cautions and send-off questions for the Press Box, if necessary. 

6.2 REFEREE LIAISON. See ruling 5.3

6.3 FIELD EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY CHECK. At least SIXTY (60) minutes prior to kickoff, the  Game Officials must complete an inspection of the playing field and equipment, including the  field itself, goals, netting, official Match Balls, corner flags, and field markings. In the event any  problem areas are identified, including loose or torn nets, out of place goals, improperly  covered drainage, missing or incorrect markings, etc., the Referee must notify the Field  Manager immediately. The Field Manager must be responsible for promptly correcting any  problems. The Referee should report any and all field equipment problems accordingly.  However, every consideration and effort must be made to start the Game as scheduled. The GCPL  

strongly suggests having the venue/stadium operations lead join the tour of the field so that he/ she may react quickly to any repairs or changes deemed necessary by the Center Referee.  

6.4 OFFICIALS’ ASSIGNMENTS AND FEES. The League Office will work with the League Referee Coordinator on the assignment of Game Officials. Referees shall be compensated by the Home Team prior to the match according to the below payment schedule. The preferred method of payment is electronically via Venmo. 

6.4.1 Referee Compensation. Referees shall be paid as follows:  

• Center Referee – $115 
• AR 1 – $75 
• AR 2 – $75 
• Fourth Official – $50 
• Total Referee Compensation: $315 (not including travel, if necessary)

6.4.2 Referee Travel Compensation. In some cases when qualified officials are not available within 100 miles of the stadium, a club may need to pay for travel for the center official and/or the two assistant referees. Referees will be compensated for travel based on the following criteria: 

• 100 miles or less – $0
• 101 – 200 miles – $40 
• 200+ miles – $70 
• Any toll road fees in excess of $10, not to exceed $25, will be reimbursed (if applicable) 
• 4th officials will not receive travel compensation

6.4.3 Game Cancellation Compensation. In the event that a game is forfeited, canceled due to weather conditions or uncontrollable circumstances within 48 hours of the scheduled kick off, the referee crew shall be paid the following: 

• Forfeiture 48 hours – Half Referee Compensation (See 6.4.1)
• Forfeiture 24 hours – Full Referee Compensation (See 6.4.1)
  • In the event referees were en route to the field, travel compensation will be included. (See 6.4.2)
• Weather Cancellation 3 hours – If a game is canceled due to inclement weather the referee crew shall be paid half Referee Compensation (See 6.4.1)

6.5 PROTECTION OF GAME OFFICIALS. Each Home Team must provide a separate dressing  room at its Home stadium for the exclusive use of Game Officials and must take the necessary precautions to ensure that no person, without the permission of the Game Officials, gains access to this dressing room. Officials must report any breach of these provisions to the League Office. 

6.6 GAME OFFICIALS COMPLIMENTARY TICKET POLICY. The Home Team shall provide each  Game Official with Two (2) complimentary tickets to the Game. 

6.7 REFEREE EVALUATIONS. Each club’s coach can submit Referee Evaluations via LINK to help offer insight on our referees performances and give our referee coordinator proper feedback for further assessment.

6.8 REFEREE NO SHOW. In the event the assigned referee crew does not arrive at least one (1) hour before the scheduled kickoff time, the Home Team should immediately contact their League Director. If the appropriate League Director does not immediately respond, the home team should attempt to contact the Referee Coordinator, or an alternate League Director (in that order). Should none of the assigned referees be present at the official kickoff time, the teams must wait a minimum of one (1) hour before the possibility of postponement is considered. Again, no game may be abandoned or postponed due to lack of referees until at least one (1) hour has passed since kickoff. After one (1) hour from the original kickoff time has elapsed, the League Director will make a decision as to whether the match should be postponed and rescheduled or further time should be allowed (only in the event of referees on their way to the venue). Active and certified Federation referees must be used as replacements in order for the match to be deemed official. Prior to sending replacements, the league office and the respective Federation will determine on a case-by-case basis whether the substitute referees are of sufficient experience and ability to handle the match. Under no circumstances will the replacement referees have less than State or Provincial certification.