What authority does the referee have, and are my decisions final?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Law 5 (2026/27):

Each match is controlled by a referee with full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match.
Decisions are made to the best of your ability according to the Laws and the spirit of the game, and are based on your opinion. You have discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws.
Your decisions on facts connected with play, including whether a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final. The decisions of the referee and all other match officials must always be respected.
You may not change a restart decision once play has restarted, or once you have signalled the end of a half and left the field (or abandoned the match).
A disciplinary sanction may only be issued after play has restarted if another match official had identified and attempted to communicate the offence to you before play restarted (Law 12.4 and the VAR protocol aside).
You act as timekeeper, keep a record of the match and provide the appropriate authorities with a match report.
Compulsory equipment: whistle(s), watch(es), red and yellow cards, and a notebook (or other means of keeping a record).
Under Law 5.7 a referee is not held liable for injury, property damage or other loss due to decisions taken under the Laws, including decisions about the field, the weather, abandoning a match, or removing an injured player for treatment.