Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of one to three minute intervals called rounds.

The result is decided when an opponent is deemed incapable to continue by a referee, is disqualified for breaking a rule, resigns by throwing in a towel, or is pronounced the winner or loser based on the judges ' scorecards at the end of the contest.

The fight is controlled by a referee who works within the ring to judge and control the conduct of the fighters, rule on their ability to fight safely, count knocked-down fighters, and rule on fouls.

If a fighter is knocked down during the fight, determined by whether the boxer touches the canvas floor of the ring with any part of their body other than the feet as a result of the opponent's punch and not a slip, as determined by the referee, the referee begins counting until the fighter returns to his or her feet and can continue.

Should the referee count to ten, then the knocked-down boxer is ruled " knocked out " ( whether unconscious or not ) and the other boxer is ruled the winner by knockout ( KO ).

A " technical knockout " ( TKO ) is possible as well, and is ruled by the referee, fight doctor, or a fighter's corner if a fighter is unable to safely continue to fight, based upon injuries or being judged unable to effectively defend themselves.

After counting the referee will observe the fighter, and decide if he is fit to continue.

If a " clinch " – a defensive move in which a boxer wraps his or her opponents arms and holds on to create a pause – is broken by the referee, each fighter must take a full step back before punching again ( alternatively, the referee may direct the fighters to " punch out " of the clinch ).

When a boxer is knocked down, the other boxer must immediately cease fighting and move to the furthest neutral corner of the ring until the referee has either ruled a knockout or called for the fight to continue.

Bandy is generally a free-flowing game, with play stopping only when the ball has left the field of play, or when play is stopped by the referee.

Substitutions can be performed without notifying the referee and can be performed while the ball is in play.

A game is officiated by a referee, the authority to enforce the rules, and whose decisions are final.

Each half runs continuously, meaning that the clock is not stopped when the ball is out of play ; the referee can, however, make allowance for time lost through significant stoppages as described below.

From the beginning of each playing period with a stroke-off ( a set strike from the centre-spot by one team ) until the end of the playing period, the ball is in play at all times, except when either the ball leaves the field of play, or play is stopped by the referee.

On November 1, 2007, Valderrama accused a referee of corruption by waving cash in the face of Oscar Julian Ruiz when the official awarded a penalty to América de Cali.

) is declared when the referee, official ring physician, the fighter, or the fighter's cornermen decide that a fighter cannot safely continue the match.

An official ( similar to a referee ) will also watch the jump and make the determination.

The Olympic Oath ( distinct from the Olympic creed ) is a solemn promise made by one athlete -- as a representative of each of the participating Olympic competitors ; and by one judge -- as a representative of each officiating Olympic referee or other official, at the opening ceremonies of each Olympic Games.

Then when he did, the rowdy tactics got under way and ended only when either both were sprawled on the canvas still wrestling each other, or the referee was outside the ring trying pull the boys apart or both fighters and official were entangled in a pretzel formation on the ring floor.

The referee's count engendered controversy as Douglas was on his feet when the referee reached nine, although the official knockdown timekeeper was two seconds ahead.

With Twin Galaxies founder Walter Day in attendance as the official referee, Younger's gameplay employed the controversial " box pattern ," which was described in Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade, a documentary film screened at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

The official tasked with this job may be known, in addition to referee, by a variety of other titles as well ( often depending on the sport ), including umpire, judge, arbiter, arbitrator, linesman, commissaire, timekeeper, touch judge or Technical Official ( by the International Olympic Committee ).

Later, the referee, a third " neutral " official was added, this referee would be " referred to " if the umpires could not resolve a dispute.

In international basketball and in college basketball, the referee is the lead official in a game, and is assisted by either one or two umpires.

In cricket, the match referee is an off-field official who makes judgements concerning the reputable conduct of the game and hands out penalties for breaches of the ICC Cricket Code of Conduct.

The referee is assisted by two assistant referees, and sometimes by a fourth official.

A lacrosse match is presided over by an onfield head referee, two onfield referees, a chief bench official ( CBO ), and a bench manager.

In tennis an umpire is an on-court official, while a referee is an off-court official.

* Stuart Cummings ( rugby league ), former referee and match official

Umpire abuse refers to the act of abuse towards a umpire, referee, or other official in sport.

* Using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or spectator.

* Physical assault of another player, umpire, referee, official or spectator.

The referee is assisted by two assistant referees ( formerly known as linesmen ), and in some matches also by a fourth official.

* If a television match official ( TMO, or video referee ) has been appointed, the referee may ask for advice before deciding whether to award a try, but under current protocols the TMO may only advise on whether the ball was properly grounded, on whether the ball or ball-carrier went into touch or touch-in-goal in the act of scoring ; and on any foul play that may have occurred.

TKO is an abbreviation for technical knockout, when the referee, official ring physician, the fighter, or the fighter's cornermen decide that a fighter cannot safely continue the match.

Austin managed to retain the title despite McMahon acting as the referee and his " Corporate Stooges " ( Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson ) as timekeeper and ring announcer, respectively.

He is assisted by an assistant referee, who alerts the referee to out balls and fouls and may have other tasks determined by the referee, and where possible by a timekeeper and scorer.

An Octopush or underwater hockey match is presided over by two or three water referees in the pool, a chief referee on deck, and at least one timekeeper and one scorekeeper.

The penalty timekeeper records the penalties imposed by the referee.

There is no referee or timekeeper and although there are few rules, good sportsmanship is encouraged.

The show starts with the introduction of the officials ( one referee, one timekeeper, and usually, but not always, one linesman ), who explain the basics of the show to the audience.

In a rematch at In Your House: Over The Edge for the WWF Championship, Austin managed to retain the title despite McMahon acting as the referee and his " Corporate Stooges " ( Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson ) as timekeeper and ring announcer, respectively.