Aydın Tiryaki (2026)
Frequent stoppages in football are one of the biggest problems killing the joy of watching the game and destroying its momentum. In particular, the sensitivity shown by referees regarding player health unfortunately turns into a tactical weapon in some cases and is used with malicious intent.
In a match, human health is, of course, the priority. However, the abuse of this sensitivity on the field is contrary to the spirit of football and the concept of Fair Play. The scenario we witness frequently is this: While a team is attacking towards the goal, an opponent throws themselves to the ground. The referee stops the match, and the medical team enters the field. Yet, only half a minute later, that “writhing” player walks off to the sideline and sprints back into the game a minute later.
What happens during this time is that the attacking team’s momentum is broken, and the game cools down. We cannot expect the referee to instantly analyze the medical condition of every player lying on the ground; the referee is forced to stop the game to avoid taking risks. However, this situation has become a “brake” mechanism for players with bad intentions. Sometimes, even if the referee does not stop the game, the opposing team players feel compelled to kick the ball out of play under the pressure of “Fair Play.”
Proposal for Solution: The 4th Official Must Step In
FIFA should implement a simple but effective rule change to solve this problem at its root: The 4th Official Must Take an Active Role.
The proposed system is as follows:
- When a player lies on the ground while the game is in progress, the main referee should not stop the game.
- Instead, the 4th Official should immediately enter the pitch and attend to the player on the ground.
- The main referee should only stop the flow of the game if the ball comes to the area where the injured player is located or if a dangerous situation arises. Otherwise, the match must continue.
- If serious intervention is required, the 4th official can call the medical teams, but the action should continue in other parts of the field.
If this rule change is implemented, knowing that the game will not stop, no footballer will lie on the ground to “waste time” or “cut an attack.” This reform will end tactics that make football ugly and will preserve the tempo of the game.
Aydın Tiryaki
Reference:
This proposal was first published by the author on the date and platform specified below:
- Article Title: FIFA’ya Çağrı: Yerde yatan futbolcuyla 4. hakem ilgilensin (Call to FIFA: The 4th Official Should Attend to the Player Lying on the Ground)
- Publication Date: April 28, 2013
- Publication Platform: Milliyet Blog
- Access Link: https://blog.milliyet.com.tr/fifa-ya-cagri–yerde-yatan-futbolcuyla-4-hakem-ilgilensin/Blog/?BlogNo=413184
A Note on Methods and Tools: All observations, ideas, and solution proposals in this study are the author’s own. AI was utilized as an information source for researching and compiling relevant topics strictly based on the author’s inquiries, requests, and directions; additionally, it provided writing assistance during the drafting process. (The research-based compilation and English writing process of this text were supported by AI as a specialized assistant.)
Aydın Tiryaki 