Referee
The referee adjudicates the match in collaboration with two linesmen (properly referred to as 'referee's assistants') and a fourth official, situated on the touchline, if necessary. The referee's tasks include acting as a timekeeper (although with advice on the amount of 'injury time' to be added on to the 45 minutes each half to compensate for injuries and other stoppages), awarding free kicks and penalties and generally dealing with anything requiring. a ruling. Can also choose to allow play to proceed in case of a foul, providing there is an 'advantage' to be gained by the team against which the foul has been committed.
Assistant referees
Follow play from their respective touch lines and help to decide on throw-ins, corner kicks and goalkicks along with offside decisions (although naturally the referee has the final say). Can also draw the referee's attention and advise on or alert him / her to any on-field activity, which can influence all manner of decisions. To signify their decision or grab the referee's attention, they wave a brightly coloured small flag, which they keep at all times.