The Ref’s News

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Discussions among the refereeing community.

Forums/RefChat — Forums

New LoTG - Injuries - Liking it!!

Evening all. First senior pre season friendly today with new law changes, step5 vs step7. All went well but this particular law change is causing severe confusion, challenge and misunderstanding from players: Injuries An injured outfield player who causes play to be stopped due to an actual or suspected injury or who receives assessment/treatment on the field of play must then leave and remain off the field for one minute (running clock) following the restart to allow the medical staff the... Read more

4 Nov

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Dissent from the touch line in U16 game

I always think back to the game I've done and review my performance, incidents etc and I wish I acted on dissent from the touchline on Sunday. Home manager , 1st half, usual shouts for offside, a penalty and a couple of throw ins on his side. Second half, his team win a penalty, his team are 6-3 up at this point and he's shouting for a red card, last man etc, I ignore him and then I hear him shouting not even a yellow. By the letter of the law a yellow card would be the right call, in the... Read more

2 Nov

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Keeping concentration

Afternoon all, Had a very pleasant game yesterday morning - both sets of players were very easy-going and fair, they played competitively and to a high standard, and the whinging was at an absolute minimum, which makes a change! It wasn't that the game was easy, obviously I had to keep up with play etc., it was more that the match was uneventful - as I say, both teams played some really nice football it was end to end for much of the game, but there was very little for me to get involved... Read more

2 Nov

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Man C v BHA - backpass claim

Watch from 5:15 here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cqx28l2gdepxo I believe that this is a deliberate kick to the GK by a team mate and should be penalised when the GK scoops it up. However everything I have seen from The FA in CPD suggests they want an extremely high bar for these offences, looking for any possible excuse to avoid penalising, so they might be happy with playing on here. Vuskovic's reaction suggests to me that he knows it may be wrong and has to try and... Read more

1 Nov

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Tax change from next year (2027-28)

Some news from the Budget that I only just noticed. From next tax year April 2027-April 2028 the trading allowance and trading income reporting threshold are both increased from £1,000 to £3,000. This has some positive implications for refs: No need to declare anything to HMRC if gross trading income is less than £3,000. Anyone going over £3,000 still has to declare it but can deduct the full allowance from the taxable income, even when actual expenses are less than that (e.g. if... Read more

1 Nov

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Fleetwood v Arsenal

Game paused for a drone at beginning. Dowman sent off for VC. Now tell me, how different was that to the one made by Palmer reacting to a challenge? Palmer actually ran a few yards to do so. My conspiracy theory is VAR. Whereas Brooks could have sent him to screen, the argument is not clear and obviously wrong. So yellow on field stood. This game has no VAR so he had to make a decision and went red knowing that a yellow may not be sufficient and VAR not about to correct if wrong.

27 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

IFAB changes for 26-27

https://downloads.theifab.com/downloads/changes-to-the-laws-of-the-game-202627?l=en For those who haven’t seen that it came out. So VAR really can only correct erroneously awarded CKs, not GKs. Weird. And the 5 sec count applies to TIs and GKs, but not CKs And the word jewelry is removed, and accessories can be covered taped—specific guidance on that will be interesting . . . Managing the delays to return for injuries and slow subs are going to be interesting for those of us... Read more

27 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Dutch Referee Blog - Referee Ismail Elfath shares World Cup experiences

Referee Ismail Elfath officiated the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. In this interview with Dutch Referee Blog he talks about his retirement and he shares his experiences from the tournament. Plus he has great insights that you can apply too on how to better prepare for your games and which attitude helps you develop as a referee (team). Later this month he also shares game management tips, so stay tuned! Retiring from refereeing In October Ismail Elfath retired as an... Read more

26 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Ipswich v Forest missed DOGSO

VAR thought it a C&O error. Ref Thomas Bramall (having missed the foul entirely) gave the FK after OFR but "because the player knocks it to the right side of the goal, the final decision is direct free-kick and a yellow card to No.6." 1.04.30 start of second half Match of the Day - 24/10/2026 Highlights from five Premier League games, with last season’s top two both in action. Manchester City travel to Aston Villa in Saturday’s early game before Arsenal entertain Everton at the Emirates. www.bbc.co.uk

25 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Spurs v Arsenal WSL hand ball

We have spoken about players having their hands in a natural position if somebody is going to kick the ball at them from close range. Going away from goal a factor too, why would you make your body bigger? Thoughts? Women's Super League: Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal - was Arsenal's penalty controversial? Analysis Following Arsenal's 2-1 win at rivals Tottenham Hotspur, former England footballers Ellen White, Fara Williams and Alex Scott discuss whether the away side were fortunate to be given a penalty, which proved to be the winning moment for Arsenal. www.bbc.co.uk

25 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Had to get the police involved

For only the second time in over 1300 matched I had to call for police assistance last night. Two players did the head-to-head rutting stags and our problem player stupidly followed up with the head butting action. Got his red and then threatened my colleague, including lots of death threat stuff, choking action etc. And then half time trying to break into the officials’ changing room, banging, more threats. We were quite relaxed, we are familiar with the teams. But my colleague felt... Read more

24 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Not sure even where to start... U18 abandoned card fest

Not unhappy with my decisions or sanctions but probably just need to vent and share this amongst other referees. I had a game last night on the Eastern Counties U18. Team White vs Blue - not predicted to be a particularly difficult game, it was like fine rain last night but otherwise playable conditions. All games on this league are under the floodlights, in a Team of 3. Senior assistant is a very good friend, and the Junior was unknown to me and also U18 herself. Pre-match all fine... Read more

21 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Does football/ do referees need to fight back or is it all too far gone?

Hi all, I ask this knowing the answer, but maybe the older referees will give more context and explain - how and when did it become acceptable for players to say whatever they like with no real repercussions, from grassroots to the Premier League! In the PL just today, Fernandes for Man Utd was clearly giving all sorts of abuse to the referee, verbally and physically, for a good 20 minutes with no action taken. In my game today, after the game both sets of players seemed genuine when they... Read more

18 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Can I have a word ref

U16 cup game today, all good, but at half time have one manager come on the pitch, saying, ‘can I have a word ref’. Usually this involves a load of verbal and an attempt to sway my decision making second half, also I wanted a break and a drink! I said no, and stated that you shouldn’t be on the pitch. He got the hunp a bit and said it was half time and it was allowed. Was a right? Also, if he was aggressive, (which he wasn’t,) should you red card a manager for being on the pitch at... Read more

18 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Why?!?!

Step 6 league cup game today. Low on quality but a good battle with both sets of players working really well with me. Not a bad tackle all game, not even a sniff of a yellow anywhere for anything. 80th minute 16 y/o comes on for the home side to make his debut in his first ever adults game... Barely touches the ball. 90+5 mins out of nowhere flies in with a straight leg, knee high and plants his studs onto the defender standing leg then complains that I've pulled out a red card while all... Read more

17 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

New Electronic cards

It’s not 1st April! Electronic cardbwhich can be changed by referee to Yellow or Red, & automatically records & sends disciplinary action to the powers that be. You won’t be able to not submit your cards. Is this the future of football? Referee stuns fans by replacing traditional cards with electronic device during competitive match in Uruguay | Goal.com UK Referee Eduardo Varela debuted digital yellow and red cards in a Copa AUF Uruguay match between Nacional and Rentistas to modernise match officiating. www.goal.com At 2.53

16 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Goalkeeper handball

https://twitter.com/x/status/2110710402917040500 I saw this on X. Would it be correct in saying that if the goalkeeper dives at an oncoming striker in a DOGSO location, and handles the ball inside the area - then as the striker reels away with the ball remaining with the keeper - the keeper handles the ball as he gets up - this would not be given as a red card as it is not a DOGSO situation anymore? I would even go as far to say here that if the first contact with keepers hands was inside the area (hard to see)... Read more

15 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Lesson learnt

U16 top of the table clash, division 1. Have was going ok then in a short space of time early in second half, midfielder from away team committed 2 fouls, both times going to ground. I pulled him and had a word telling him that's 2 now, he needs to cool down. Within 5 minutes he does another one so I caution him telling him that I warned him and he's got to stay on his feet. My lesson is to make the reason for the booking more public, by pointing to the areas of the previous tackles... Read more

14 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Sunderland v Brighton DOGSO

Interesting this, where does everyone sit, clear & obvious for VAR? Then appealed, panel have agreed an error so no one match ban. Could have been worse, Brighton could have scored after the offence & play being stopped by VAR intervention, which would have chalked goal off. The resultant free kick was taken a long way from the offence & could have been scored. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cv4g18gk8xzgo

14 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Time wasting

Hi Last Saturday in an u16 JPL match I had a rather strange time wasting incident. It was a defending team throughin about 4 m from their goal line. The attacking player took the ball and started dribbling around on the pitch. I asked him to stop and pass the ball. He didn’t I asked him again still didn’t stop so I started walking over he left the ball and ran back towards his half. context There had been no descent, or time wasting the score was 2-1 and there was 1 minute left. I had... Read more

14 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Abandoned

Hi all, Had a bit of a surprising one yesterday, both good teams and fairly well behaved until the last few minutes, with about 5 minutes I left I sent the home team captain off for VC (he kicked out on the floor, other player went down in a heap as you'd expect), he apologised to me and the player he kicked and went off to the side line. A minute or so later, I saw that the player was still on the side line and was shouting instructions to his team mates (they didn't have a manager, just... Read more

12 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Advantage or Quick Restart?

I’d like to hear your thoughts on this situation. X（scene） YouTube A yellow player commits a clear handball offence, but the referee does not blow the whistle. Immediately afterwards, a green player uses his hands to place the ball at his feet and takes a quick restart. I have two questions: If advantage is being applied, the ball is still in play, so wouldn’t the green player’s handling itself be a handball offence? I understand that a quick restart does not normally... Read more

12 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Liverpool - Man C

On field only real taking point so far is the Gravenberch red card. I can understand pundit position, as when taken in isolation the challenges aren’t necessarily a caution. But that ignores the broader context, the second caution especially. That’s a nailed on breaking up a promising attack caution. Challenging from behind with no prospect of playing the ball. And already walking the tightrope, that’s taking an unnecessary risk. Players eh?

11 Oct

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Various flags - Touchline - Refsworld - Ref stop

Hi all 3 different flag sets for sale. 1st - Refstop budget flags - £5 plus £5 postage These are brand new and only been out of the case for the photo. 2nd - Refsworld REF flags - £15 plus £5 postage These are used, slight fraying on one of the flag cloths but still in great condition 3rd - Touchling flags - £20 plus £5 postage Again these have been used a handful of times but in excellent condition, for an extra £5 I have a brand new set of flag cloths... Read more

11 Oct