On the second day of the tournament, we saw Slovakia's Martin Skrtel elbow a Welsh player in the box with the behind-the-goal official looking straight at it, yet no penalty was given.

This evening, we've seen the Croatian goalkeeper charge more than two yards off his line to save a Spanish penalty with the behind-the-goal official looking straight at it, yet he did not tell the referee that the kick needed to be retaken.

What is the point of these officials?

Why are they there if they are not going to give decisions for incidents they can see right in front of their eyes?

Have any of them given a significant decision of any kind during this tournament?

They might as well just patrol the technical areas with the fourth official for all the good they've been so far.

Never seen any of them do anything. It really is the best job in football besides playing.

It just seems to be a free ticket into the match and you get the best seat in the stadium

They are just there to pick up their pay-packet. They have proved time and time again that they serve no purpose whatsoever.

Are they acting under instructions, though?

Still seems a bit bizarre and pointless if they're not going to assist the referee. With whom are they in contact via those walkie-talkies? It wouldn't appear to be the ref since I'd expect them to have the same gear the ref and linesmen have.

It's very strange.

Or does it have something to do with heightened security?

Perhaps they're not qualified officials.