The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including
whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.
The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his
discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee or the fourth official, provided
that he has not restarted play or terminated the match.
Re Fourth Official
He assists the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws
of the Game. The referee, however, retains the authority to decide on all
points connected with play.
IFAB have instructed the fourth officials to become involved in acts of violent conduct.
If Alan is looking at the incident from waist hight up and missed the little, kick, stamp whatever you want to call it, the fourth official must become involved
It happened to McManus when the scum were playing Hearts a few year ago, only it was the assistant.
Craig Thomson was the referee