Association football (soccer): What is the official title of the person who controls and enforces the Laws of the Game during a match? Context: Single on-field official with authority to start/stop play, issue disciplinary sanctions, and make final decisions. Choose the correct term.

Given data

• Sport: Association football (soccer).
• Role: The individual who controls the match and applies the Laws of the Game.

Answer logic
Referee is the internationally standardized title for the lead match official.

Why others are wrong
"Umpire" is used in sports like cricket/tennis/baseball, not football."Assistant referee" (formerly linesman) supports the referee but does not control the match."Judge" and "Commissioner" are not on-field football officiating roles.

Final Answer
Referee