What is the role of the referee during a soccer match?

The role of the referee during a soccer match is fundamentally about ensuring that the laws of the game are adhered to. This involves monitoring the actions of players, making judgment calls on fouls, offside, and other infractions, and enforcing the rules as outlined in the Laws of the Game. The referee is responsible for maintaining fair play and the overall safety of the players. Their authority is critical in making decisions that can affect the outcome of the match, such as awarding penalties or issuing cards for misconduct.

While coaching teams, determining final scores, and managing substitutions are important aspects of the game, these tasks do not fall within the referee's responsibilities. Coaching is typically carried out by the team's coaches and staff. The final score, although reported by the referee at the end of the match, is a result of the gameplay rather than something the referee decides. Substitutions are managed according to established guidelines, but the specific role of executing this task usually lies with the team's coach, with the referee simply overseeing that the process follows the rules. Therefore, the primary duty of the referee is to ensure that all players follow the rules throughout the match.