Who has the final authority on all decisions during the match?

The center referee holds the final authority on all decisions during a match. This role is critical within the structure of soccer officiating, as the center referee is responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game, ensuring fair play, and making judgment calls regarding fouls, misconduct, and any plays that occur throughout the match. The center referee has the ultimate responsibility for overseeing the game, including the authority to issue cards, award penalties, and make decisions regarding stoppages or the continuation of play. This position is designed to provide a single source of decision-making to maintain consistency and clarity during the match.

In contrast, the assistant referees support the center referee's decisions and assist in specific areas, such as offside rulings and line calls, but they do not have the authority to make independent final decisions on matters affecting the game’s outcome. Team captains serve as leaders and representatives of their teams but do not possess the authority to influence the rules of play or officiating decisions. The match commissioner may oversee the event from an administrative or organizational perspective but does not have decision-making authority regarding the match itself.