IFAB Laws of the Game · Law 5
Law 5: The Referee
The referee's authority, powers and duties, advantage, injury handling, and the scope and limits of VAR review.
Law 5 practice questions
9 questions on
The Referee, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the
reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.
Question 1
Law 5
standard
The referee plays advantage after a foul, but the anticipated advantage does not develop within a few seconds. What should the referee do?
A
Penalise the original offence
Correct answer
B
Allow play to continue — advantage once signalled cannot be recalled
C
Stop play and restart with a dropped ball
D
Penalise the original offence only if it was a cautionable one
Why
Law 5: the referee may play advantage when the offended team will benefit, but must penalise the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue within a few seconds.
Question 2
Law 5
advanced
The referee awards a goal kick, then the assistant referee signals that the ball was last touched by a defender. Play has not yet restarted. What may the referee do?
A
Change the decision to a corner kick
Correct answer
B
Nothing — a decision on a point of fact connected with play is final once given
C
Change the decision only after consulting the fourth official
D
Restart with a dropped ball as a compromise
Why
Law 5: the referee may change a decision on realising it is incorrect, or on the advice of another match official, provided play has not restarted and the half or match has not been ended.
Question 3
Law 5
advanced
Play is stopped for an injury. In which of these cases may the injured player stay on the field to be treated rather than having to leave?
A
The injured player is the goalkeeper
Correct answer
B
The injury occurred at a corner kick
C
The player's team is losing by two or more goals
D
The player has already been substituted once
Why
Law 5 lists the exceptions to leaving the field after treatment: the injured player is a goalkeeper; a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention; players of the same team have collided; a severe injury has occurred; or the injury resulted from a physical offence for which the opponent was cautioned or sent off.
Question 4
Law 5
standard
Over what period does the referee hold the powers of Law 5?
A
From entering the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving after the match ends
Correct answer
B
From the kick-off whistle until the final whistle only
C
From the kick-off whistle until leaving the field after the match
D
Only while the ball is in play
Why
Law 5: the referee's powers begin on entering the field of play for the pre-match inspection and end on leaving after the match ends, including the half-time interval and any kicks from the penalty mark.
Question 5
Law 5
standard
A club wants to hold the referee liable for a serious injury a player suffered from a fairly adjudicated, normal challenge. What does Law 5 say about this?
A
The referee is not held liable for injuries, damage or losses arising from a decision taken under the normal procedures of the Laws
Correct answer
B
The referee is liable in all cup and knockout competitions
C
The referee is liable only if no card was shown for the challenge
D
The referee is fully liable for any injury occurring during the match
Why
Law 5 explicitly protects match officials from liability for injuries to players, officials or spectators, damage to property, or other losses arising from decisions taken under the normal procedures of the Laws.
Question 6
Law 5
intro
Which of these is compulsory equipment for the referee under Law 5?
A
Whistle(s), watch(es), red and yellow cards, and a notebook
Correct answer
B
A microphone connected to the stadium PA system
C
A personal fitness tracker
D
A stopwatch app on a personal phone, in place of a watch
Why
Law 5 lists whistle(s), watch(es) or other suitable device(s) to time the match, red and yellow cards, and a notebook (or other means of recording match information) as the referee's compulsory equipment. On-field officials may not wear jewellery or other unauthorised electronic equipment.
Question 7
Law 5
standard
Who decides whether the field of play, weather conditions or equipment are suitable for the match, including whether the match should be abandoned?
A
The referee
Correct answer
B
The home club's groundskeeper
C
A vote between both captains
D
The stadium safety officer alone
Why
Law 5 gives the referee sole authority to judge whether conditions allow the match to start or continue, and the power to stop, suspend or abandon it for any reason the Laws consider appropriate.
Question 8
Law 5
standard
What is the difference between a VAR 'check' and a VAR 'review'?
A
A check is a silent, automatic process; a review typically involves the referee going to look at pitchside footage
Correct answer
B
There is no difference — the terms are interchangeable
C
A check only happens for penalty decisions; a review only for goals
D
A review is done by the fourth official, a check by the VAR
Why
Every incident is silently checked by the VAR by default. Only where a clear and obvious error may exist does this escalate to a review, which can include an on-field review at the pitchside monitor.
Question 9
Law 5
standard
What threshold must be met before VAR involvement changes an on-field decision?
A
A clear and obvious error, or a serious missed incident
Correct answer
B
Any disagreement between the two assistant referees
C
A request from either team's coaching staff
D
Any incident replayed more than once on the broadcast feed
Why
Law 5: VAR exists to correct clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents in the four reviewable categories — not to re-referee marginal or subjective calls the referee has already made.