DAVID Wagner, as manager of Huddersfield and Neil Warnock now managing Cardiff City, had diametrically opposed views of the assistant referee’s interference at their recent Premier League game.

Referee Lee Mason had awarded a penalty to Huddersfield, but after discussion with his assistant referee, Stuart Burt, awarded a free-kick to Cardiff.

Wagner said after seeing the replay it was a clear penalty.

Warnock, who also claimed to have seen the same footage disagreed saying, ‘thank goodness for an experienced linesman’.

I suppose we can forgive Warnock for living in the past using the term linesman.

This hasn’t been in the Laws of the Game for 23 years.

It was changed to assistant referee in 1996, as it was felt the title of linesman didn’t adequately represent the role of the official.

There was also some restructuring of duties in the Laws.

This all brings into focus the role of the neutral qualified assistant referee, as that is who the Law really refers to.

It is important to recognise the assistant referee doesn’t make any decisions, only indications.

Law 6 says assistant referees indicate when the ball has gone out of play and which team is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in, when a player in an offside position may be penalised, and when a substitution is required.

At a penalty kick the assistant referee indicates if the goalkeeper moves off his line before the kick is taken and if the ball crosses the line.

The assistant referee also monitors the substitution procedure.

Nothing there then about telling the referee he might have got a decision wrong.

Law 5 however, says providing play hasn’t restarted, or the end of the half signalled, the referee may change a decision on realising that it is incorrect, or on the advice of another match official.

Under guidance, assistant referees are told their advice for an offence should only come when they are nearer to the incident or have a better view than the referee, as Stuart Burt obviously had.