WP 7 REFEREES

WP 7.1 The referees shall be in absolute control of the game. Their authority over the players shall be effective during the whole time that they and the players are within the precincts of the pool. All decisions of the referees on questions of fact shall be final and their interpretation of the
Rules shall be obeyed throughout the game. The referees shall not make any presumption as to the facts of any situation during the game but shall interpret what they observe to the best of their ability.

WP 7.2 The referees shall whistle to start and restart the game and to declare goals, goal throws, corner throws (whether signalled by the goal judge or not), neutral throws and infringements of the Rules. A referee may alter a decision provided it is done before the ball is put back into play.

WP 7.3 The referees shall refrain from declaring a foul if, in their opinion, such declaration would be an advantage to the offending player’s team. The referees shall not declare an ordinary foul when there is still a possibility to play the ball.
[Note. The referees shall apply this principle to the fullest extent. They should not, for example, declare an ordinary foul in favour of a player who is in possession of the ball and making progress towards his opponents’ goal, because this is considered to give an advantage to the offender’s team.]

WP 7.4 The referees shall have the power to order any player from the water in accordance with the appropriate Rule and to abandon the game should a player refuse to leave the water when so ordered.

WP 7.5 The referees shall have the power to order the removal from the precincts of the pool any player, substitute, spectator or official whose behaviour prevents the referees from carrying out their duties in a proper and impartial manner.

WP 7.6 The referees shall have the power to abandon the game at any time if, in their opinion, the behaviour of the players or spectators, or other circumstances prevent it from being brought to a proper conclusion. If the game has to be abandoned the referees shall report their actions to the competent authority.