Click to enlarge and debate the strip below the line.
Keith Hackett’s verdict
1) You’ve scored. A horrible scenario, but you have to try to calm everyone down and explain the position: the match officials are considered part of the field of play – just like the goalpost, bar or corner flagposts. So if the ball makes contact with you, even via an instinctive action such as this, the game continues. Award the goal. Mudassir Salyani wins the shirt.
2) There’s no need to storm in there – a stadium ban is imposed by the game’s authorities, and they can judge what further action to take. Simply advise the club’s secretary that you have seen what is happening and will be including it in your report. Then start the game as normal. Thanks to David Millward.
3) You must take action when racist abuse is unequivocal – options include having PA announcements made, taking the teams off and potentially abandoning the game. But you need to be sure: in this case, explain your concerns to both captains, and tell them you will deal with it by reporting the situation after the match, so authorities can conduct a proper investigation. Uefa competitions will also have a match delegate present, who will be monitoring crowd behaviour. Thanks to Dan Davies.
Competition: win a T-shirt of your choice
For a chance to win a Philosophy Football T-shirt of your choice from the Guardian sport range send us your questions for You are the Ref to you.are.the.ref@observer.co.uk. The best scenario used in each new strip wins a T-shirt; Terms apply. For more on You are the Ref’s history, click here.
