Who is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the match and ensuring players adhere to the Laws of the Game?

The referee holds the primary responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the match and ensuring that players adhere to the Laws of the Game. This role includes enforcing the rules, making decisions regarding fouls and penalties, and managing the flow of the game. The referee is the only official with the authority to issue yellow and red cards, which are vital tools for managing player behavior and maintaining fair play.

While assistant referees and the fourth official provide crucial support and can advise the referee on specific situations (like offside calls or substitutions), their responsibilities are secondary to that of the referee. Assistant referees primarily focus on specific areas of the game, while the fourth official typically assists with administrative tasks and can act as a point of communication between the referee and the teams.

Team captains play an important role in facilitating communication between players and match officials, and they can help in managing team behavior. However, they do not have the authority to enforce the Laws of the Game, making them supportive figures rather than decision-makers in the match. Thus, it is the referee who is ultimately tasked with ensuring the match runs smoothly and fairly according to the established rules.