From: archer@hsi.com (Garry Archer)
Subject: Premature termination of a game.
Organization: 3M Health Information Systems, Wallingford CT
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 17:16:12 GMT


I'm on the Executive Committee of our Over-30 league (that I also play in)
and one of our functions is to resolve certain situations that occur
from week to week, i.e. disciplinary action, protests.

Here's one problem we've never really encountered before and we're researching
on how to resolve it.  So I thought I'd throw it out to rec.sport.soccer
(you're all such an opinionated lot :-)

The problem: Premature termination of a game.

Be aware, we've virtually decided what we're already going to do, and I'll
tell you why later.  But perhaps there are precedents that you know of that
may influence our decision.

We (the League) have seen games end early before, albeit rarely, but only by 
a few minutes for various reasons, and the result has stood.  But consider
this case when the game ended 30 minutes early:

Team A:	The home team -- has one of the best pitches in the state, top of
the second division.  Have a full compliment of players, several subs.

Team B: The away team -- also has a good team, 5th in the division, contending
for the second division championship.  They show up without their regular 
goalkeeper and only have 11 players, no subs.


Team A, taking advantage of Team B's woes (no "real" 'keeper, no subs, playing
on a big, wide pitch) run up the score to 8-1 with 15 minutes played in
the second half.  Suddenly someone shows up to give the referee an urgent
message --- his daughter has broken her arm and he is requested to go home.
The referee apologises and leaves.  The two teams quit.  Its a very hot and
humid day and Team B realise there is little hope of stopping Team A from 
winning.  Otherwise they could have selected a person, whom they both agree
on, to finish refereeing the match.

Team B didn't concede as such, but when told they may have to restart the
game from where they left off on another day they admitted they couldn't
envision a change in the final result i.e. they would still lose.  Since
that time, Team B has requested the League order the match to be replayed.


Here are our options:

	a) The 8-1 score in favour of Team A stands.
		(Fair to Team A)

	b) The game is restarted with 30 minutes to go, the score is 8-1.
		(Fair to both teams -- though Team B may disagree!)

	c) Replay the game from start to finish for 90 minutes, starting from 
		0-0.  (Fair to Team B)

	d) Team B concedes the loss, but only by a 3-0 forfeit.
		(Not fair to either team)

Team B obviously does not think there is any point to travelling 40 miles to
play the last 30 minutes when they're already 8-1 down (option 'b').

The League (Executive Committee) would prefer to go with option 'a'.  However,
after reviewing the Laws of the Game, we may be forced to decide option 'c' 
and have the game replayed.

The only copy of the Laws I have is "1983 FIFA Laws of the Game, Guide for 
Referees, USSF".  But I doubt this rule has changed since then.  It says:

LAW VII - DURATION OF THE GAME
	Decisions by the International Board
	(1)	If a match has been stopped by the Referee, before the 
		completion pf the time specified in the rules, for any
		reason stated in Law V it must be replayed in full unless
		the rules of the competition concerned provide for the
		result of the match at the time of such stoppage to stand.

(Our League rules say:  "No game shall be...  less than seventy minutes
 duration.  Unfinished matches shall be dealt with by the Executive
 Committee.")

LAW V - REFEREES
(d)	Have discretionary power to stop the game for any infringement of
	the Laws and to suspend or terminate the game whenever, by reason
	of the elements, interference from spectators, or other cause, he
	deems such stoppage necessary.....

	Decisions by the International Board
	(9)	By para. (d) of Law V the Referee is empowered to terminate
		a match in the event of grave disorder, but he has no power
		or right to decide, in such an event, that either side is
		disqualified and thereby the loser of the match.



So as I said earlier, it looks like we (the League) shall have the game 
replayed, although personally I feel that is unfair to Team A considering
the original score.  If the game was close, a replay would be entirely fair.
What adds to the confusion, I don't believe the referee officially
terminated the game (I haven't seen his report yet).


So there you have it.  Sorry this is long (if you got this far!).  But I
would appreciate it if you can provide evidence of precedents (not heresay
or speculation).  Any other comments are welcome, but will not necessarily
influence our League decision.

	Thank you!


-- 
Garry Archer Esq.	archer@hsi.com
3M Health Information Systems,	Wallingford, Connecticut, U.S.A.

"An Englishman never enjoys himself, except for a noble purpose." - A.P.Herbert