Many a time at the end of the first half or at the end of the match one hears voices of disapproval directed at the fourth official when he raises his board to indicate the time to be added.
Sometimes, the crowd invariably disagree with the time given. However, what many of the supporters are unaware of is that the fourth official is only following indications given to him by the referee.
It is only the referee who can decide on what time is to be added. In the old days we used to call it injury time because we really only played extra minutes if players were injured.
Now the referee has to consider the number of substitutions, the time it takes to remove an injured player from the field of play and other time lost. Naturally, if further time is wasted during the added time then the referee increases the original time shown by the fourth official.
I must say that Malta was one of the first countries to introduce fourth officials in its Premier League and it has been successful.
The fourth official is not there just for the numbers. A few years ago he used to be called 'a tourist' as it was thought that his presence, although sanctioned and recommended by FIFA, was not really necessary.
Of course, this could not be further from the truth.
Although the fourth official is not mandatory their presence is recommended where competition rules allow it and where the number of officials is enough to appoint them.
The guidelines issued by FIFA are clear in the sense that the fourth official assists with the administrative duties before, during and after the match as required by the referee.
He or she must also supervise replacement footballs and has the authority to check the equipment of substitutes before they enter the field of pla. They must inform the referee if equipment does not comply with the Laws of the Game.
These duties would make a follower of the game ponder on the triviality of having a fourth official. However, fourth officials have some very important duties.
Foremost of which is that he/she has to indicate to the referee when the wrong player is cautioned because of mistaken identity or when a player is not sent off having been seen to be given a second caution.
A fourth official must also report to the referee any violent conduct which occurs out of the view of the referee and the assistant referees. He must also inform the other officials of any report being made.
Naturally, he/she has the duty to inform the referee of irresponsible behaviour by any occupant of the technical area.
Despite all this fourth officials have no authority to send off anyone. It is the referee who has the sole authority to do so.
Does the fourth official replace the referee if for some reason he cannot continue to officiate the match?
Not necessarily. It depends on competition rules. Locally, any top division pool official or first class referee who acts as fourth official is en-trusted with the match if the referee cannot continue.