Over the course of the tournament, it may be necessary for a MATCH to be replayed. Typical causes for replays are MATCHES that end in a tie during the Playoffs (due to criteria listed in Table 10‑3. or any Finals MATCH), MATCHES that are stopped because FIELD STAFF anticipated FIELD damage or personal injury, or if there is an ARENA FAULT.
An ARENA FAULT is an error in ARENA operation that includes, but is not limited to:
A. broken FIELD elements due to
a. normal, expected game play or
b. ROBOT abuse of FIELD elements that affects the outcome of the MATCH for their opponents.
A broken FIELD element caused by ROBOT abuse that affects the outcome of the MATCH for their ALLIANCE is not an ARENA FAULT.
B. power failure to a portion of the FIELD (tripping the circuit breaker in the DRIVER STATION is not considered a power failure),
C. improper activation by the FMS,
It is not an ARENA FAULT if FMS Game Data is not sent, not received, or if delayed. Incorrect Game Data being sent would be considered an ARENA FAULT.
D. errors by FIELD STAFF (except those listed in section 6.8 Other Logistics), and
E. a ROBOT radio disconnect that impairs operation of other ROBOTS on the FIELD for more than 8 seconds.
If, in the judgment of the Head REFEREE, an ARENA FAULT occurs that affects the outcome of the MATCH and any team on the affected ALLIANCE desires a replay, the MATCH will be replayed. FIRST Headquarters reserves the right to, with consultation of the Head REFEREE and the FTA, replay a MATCH in which an ARENA FAULT impacts the outcome of an event. Once a MATCH replay is granted, a team may not withdraw the request for the replay.
The outcome of the MATCH is affected if an error occurs that, in the judgement of the Head REFEREE, changes which ALLIANCE would have won the MATCH and/or the assignment of Ranking Points.
The outcome of an event is affected if an error occurs that, in the judgement of FIRST Headquarters, changes the assignment of Ranking Points or has a dramatic effect on points used for ranking criteria.
Note that an ARENA FAULT that does not affect MATCH outcome, in the judgement of the Head REFEREE, does not lead to a MATCH replay. Examples include, but are not limited to:
A. a piece of FIELD plastic falls into the FIELD, far away from any human or ROBOT activity, and in such a way that it does not affect MATCH outcome,
B. delay in the playing of an ARENA sound,
C. mismatch between the timer on the audience screen and the ARENA timer,
D. any adjustment or delay in assignment of a score or penalty (including those made after the MATCH), and
Examples of errors by FIELD STAFF include, but are not limited to:
E. a gate being left open when the MATCH starts,
F. mistakenly allowing a ROBOT in violation of I102 that hasn’t passed an initial, complete inspection to participate in the MATCH