What is the referee's primary responsibility on the field?

The primary responsibility of the referee on the field revolves around ensuring fair play. This means that the referee is tasked with enforcing the Laws of the Game impartially, making decisions that uphold the integrity of the match. By focusing on fair play, the referee helps maintain a balanced competitive environment, where each player has an equal opportunity to participate under the same set of rules.

While managing players’ conduct is certainly part of the job and crucial to maintaining order during the game, it serves the larger purpose of facilitating fair interaction among players. Overseeing team tactics and coaching are roles that fall outside the scope of the referee's duties, as those are functions meant for the coaches and teams themselves. The referee must remain neutral and ensure that the game is played fairly, upholding the spirit of the sport and protecting the players’ rights to compete justly.