Friendly appointments

[Refollie]

A level 7 in my local RA has been asked to referee a friendly: A step 6 (2nd tier of a supply league) team v a step 7 team. He’s been contacted by the step 7 club rather than through an official apppintment.

It’s sparked a bit of debate on WhatsApp so I was curious what anyone else thought.

I’d usually be against it as it’s more than one step up, but the ref in question has been refereeing for 15 years or so and is well regarded.

 

[Trip]

I can't see a problem if it's a friendly and one of the clubs has requested it.

 

[JamesL]

There is a table the FA have produced for minimum level or referee.
Without looking I believe a level 5 is the minimum level referee for a game involving to teams at the respective level.

 

[RustyRef]

"Legally" it is fine as step 7 isn't covered by the appointing principles table shown below. Some step 6 leagues don't have supply league status, so technically a L7 could actually referee one of those clubs' league games.

I certainly wouldn't recommend it though, and certainly not if that L7 hasn't been exposed to that level of football by regularly lining at those levels.