5 times referees have been replaced in a match

The common event in a football match is having players replaced after they gas out, pick up an injury or maybe tactical or precautionary moves from the coach.

We also see coaches, however infrequent, get shown cards for misdemeanor on the sidelines, which shows that they are not immune from disciplinary issues that are adverse to the beautiful game.

But how many times have we seen a referee get substituted from a football game?

Well, there have been a handful of incidents that have necessitated such event. In this article, we go down memory lane, recalling five times referees got replaced in a football game:

Referees replaced during a football match

La Liga match: Real Madrid vs Sevilla

In a la liga match involving Real Madrid vs Sevilla on 26th February. 2024, Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos picked up an injury on the calf muscle of his left leg while running. He tried to continue for a while before informing the fourth official about the discomfort. Escuderos underwent some basic treatment on the sidelines but could not make it to the field again. As per the protocol, the fourth official, Fernandez Buergo, then took charge of the on-field duties and went on to officiate the remainder of the game.

Serie A match: Lecce vs Inter

Referee Daniele Doveri picked up an injury during the match between Lecce and Inter on February 24th, 2024. The fourth official had to take over.

Serie A match: Bologna vs Verona

Referee Rosario Abisso sprained his foot in the opening minutes of the match played on the 22nd February, 2024. The match had to be stopped for several minutes while Abisso received treatment and then switched over the communication equipment with his fourth official, Giacomo Camplone.

EPL: Stoke vs Leicester

Referee Bobby Madley had to substitute himself off during the game between Stoke and Leicester on 3 November, 2017.

Serie A: Empoli vs Fiorentina

Serie A match between Empoli and Fiorentina on August 22, 2024 saw referee Matteo Marchetti substituted due to an injury.

Marchetti pulled up with a calf strain during the second half at the Stadio Castellani.

He received treatment, but was unable to continue the match, so had to exchange places with fourth official Juan Luca Sacchi.