Bahrain FA Introduces New Match Suspension Protocol

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) has issued a new protocol detailing how matches will be paused or suspended in the event of warning sirens or security threats, prioritizing the safety of players, officials, and spectators while ensuring clear emergency procedures.

Under the protocol, the referee and match observer will immediately suspend the game if a danger is confirmed. All players, referees, and technical staff must leave the field and move to the designated safe area or locker rooms. The officials will assess the threat, determining whether the match can resume immediately if the danger is distant, or remain suspended if it is near the stadium.

Once the risk has passed, the field’s security and readiness are verified, teams return to the pitch, and a five-minute warm-up period is allowed before resuming play. Matches will restart from the exact minute and score at which they were stopped, with stoppage time added if the interruption occurs during active play.

The protocol also requires referees to verify player identities, track substitutions, and maintain disciplinary authority during suspensions. No substitutions are permitted while teams are in the safe zone, and all changes count only after the game resumes.

A maximum suspension period of 30 minutes is allowed; if the situation cannot be safely resolved, the referee and match observer may end the match, which will then be resumed later from the same minute and score. Any scenario not explicitly covered will be referred to the relevant BFA committees for resolution under existing regulations.