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Discussions among the refereeing community.

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Referee Whistle Lanyards

Hi Everyone! A couple years ago, after about 15 years of refereeing, my wrist lanyard finally started falling apart. I bought a new one, but I was disappointed that the new one I got was shorter than the (supposedly) same model I bought more than a decade ago (shrinkflation strikes again!). So, I decided to take matters into my own hands, and I started making my own whistle lanyards out of paracord. Some other referees commented on it, and I started making them for other referees and... Read more

18 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

2016 UCL Final – Refereeing Incidents Review (Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid)

Hello everyone, I’m reviewing the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, refereed by Mark Clattenburg. I’m interested in analysing the significant refereeing incidents from the match from a referee’s perspective. This is purely a refereeing/Laws of the Game discussion. I’m not interested in debating which team deserved to win or whether either team was favoured. I plan to post the incidents individually, with the approximate minute and a clip/image... Read more

16 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Referee admin

Hi all, I've recently returned to refereeing after a few years out, a few games under my belt this season, all of which have been great with just about everyone very well behaved. I do have a bit of a query/moan about the new levels of admin involved though - previously, I was never required to record anything post-match aside from any disciplinary bits and pieces, but now (and it may be a different county), I have three different systems to deal with which has surprised me: 1. The... Read more

16 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Spectator Sent Off (with Red Card!)

Well, I say spectator.... He wasn't even there!! My next door neighbour used to manage one of the age groups of one of our local teams until they aged out this summer just gone. His son plays for a younger age group. At his sons game, apparently the game was very feisty. It was a cup game where its more national than local so you can imagine my local towns team had a fair bit of travelling and had to encounter a local ref to that particular area. Claims from the son is that the ref... Read more

14 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Ball hitting the referee

Ball hits the referee in a pass, takes a big deflection and still goes to team mate without any kind of attack present or any pressure on the player with the ball. The referee stops play for a drop ball. Totally unnecessary stoppage. Saw this happing at least once in United v City game and in Liverpool vs Fulham game. Is this an English thing? It sets expectations for other referees to do it. Over the season I had it a few times when payers stopped and I had to yell out 'keep going'

14 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Young referee – intimidating behaviour from manager & linesman. What should I do?

Hello everyone. I had a very intimidating U15s game yesterday, where I felt the manager and mainly linesman were using bullying behaviour towards, I think mostly because of my age. Please help me - i don’t know what I should do next (if I need to) - submit a match report etc? Btw I am 16 yrs old so I was only reffing 2 years below me. One incident in particular caused a lot of disagreement. I had already blown the whistle for a handball. About one second after the whistle, an opposition... Read more

13 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Sheffield United vs Wolves

Incident from 0:48 on highlights below - anyone else think it's baffling how one of our FIFA referees can miss such an obvious handball? (Just to clarify, I couldn't care less as my team won anyway) but I really think Rob Jones should be spotting that (Edit: baffling may be a bit harsh but I still think between the officials this should be spotted) FWIW I think the officials were good in the first half and poor in the second. A lot of niggly fouls given but really inconsistently, play was... Read more

13 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Verbal distraction inside the box???

I had my first game today as a referee in training, between two U-13 sides in a friendly. The match was fairly easy and very few fouls were committed, leading to an interesting, high-tempo game. However, one moment caught me off guard. The goalkeeper came off his line to defend a one-on-one situation, and he made a distracting, loud shout, clearly intended to put off the striker. He saved the ball and it I awarded a corner, and to be fair there wasn't too much complaining from the sideline... Read more

13 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Re-baptism of fire

Over 18 months since my last post and almost a year since I last picked up the whistle. A mixture of life, availability and finding suitable appointments meant the break went on a lot longer than planned. I hope all is well in RefChat land. Having finally got my life admin in order, I was back yesterday for U14 boys. For context, I’m Level 7 with around 50 games over four years, so there was definitely some rust to shake off! The game finished 10–0, so it was fairly one-sided, but there... Read more

13 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Forest vs Spurs

From 4m30. Not really focused on whether or not it was accidental handball. The Spurs defended kicks Williams in the head. An argument that one or both players actions were playing in a dangerous manner before the contact. As it's on the goalline we seem to give far more leeway in that regard. Highlights - Premier League - Nottingham Forest 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham are still waiting for their first Premier League win of the season after a scrappy draw at Nottingham Forest. www.bbc.co.uk

6 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Deliberate or not? Handball by a sliding defender

Hi everyone, I'm GoookeRef, a referee from Japan. I’d like to get your thoughts on the first goal in this match. Match Scene ⇨ 4:10 Please focus on the defender in white at the end of the play. After the player in purple takes the shot, the defender slides in and the ball hits his right arm. What I’m interested in is whether you would consider the defender’s action with his arm to be deliberate or not deliberate . In the actual match, the ball still went into the goal, so this... Read more

6 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Do 2 YC make a Red?

Context I am a Level 7 this was an open age Sunday morning game grassroots. Think pub vs pub, although it won't affect me now, I am going for 7-6 promotion this season and lucky enough to get an observer for my 1st game and have been dwelling on this feedback since Sunday. Situation. Player 1 - niggly foul after 10th minute, nothing major, 16th minute, another niggly foul, which I had a quite word with him just to try and tighten up his game etc, about 3 minutes later from a... Read more

3 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Referee Portal vs Full Time?

Hi All, First youth game this Sunday and one thing im slightly confused on is what I submit on Full Time? I understand that Cautions need to be entered on the Referee Portal - that bit is clear! But when I log on Full Time there is an area for me to submit a Referee Report. This is a series of questions about the game, but there is also a space to enter the half time and full time score and also an area to enter information against the teamsheet? Do I need to fill in the Full Time details... Read more

3 Sept

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

3 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Dealing with sweaty match cards and notepad

Hi all, maybe a bit of a strange post but just wondered if anyone has had the same problem at all or can recommend something for me? I have switched from using a full match pad to a match card and write on stickers on my cards, using primarily a click sharpie. I found this works best for me than faffing about with the match pad which was my go too as a new ref, having experimented with different setups. I've noticed more recently though especially the hot weather and some pitches even in... Read more

2 Sept

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Can only join a league if I register with a specific Referee association

Does this sound dodgy to anybody else? I’m a new referee and have applied to join a league. The referee secretary for that league has come back and said one of the requirements is joining a specific Referee Association, of which he is the chairperson. I’m already a member of a different RA that is my local one. The other one that I would have to join is about 30 miles away from where I live. Of course it’s not that expensive but surely it’s a conflict and abuse of power.

31 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Leeds v Brentford

I've deliberately delayed post to see if any one else asks the question.. Midway through second half Schade was, in my opinion, fouled by Bogle (I think i recall) in the area with Bogle treading on Schades foot. Schade has knocked ball past him and Bogle has attempted to block, missed, and landed his foot straight down, with studs, on Schade. Ref yards away says no. VAR agrees. Is this less involvement version of VAR the reason, is it missed, or was it simply not a foul. Plenty of... Read more

31 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion

The picture below shows part of the scenario for a potential problem with Middlesbrough's first goal. The scorer Lankshear looked to be clearly in an offside position when his team mate Whittaker took a shot. The ball came back off the post, hit the goalkeeper on the back of the head (or shoulder) and popped up into the air for Lankshear to head it home. The AR appears to be well positioned but did not flag for an offside offence when Lankshear headed the ball in. Some Boro... Read more

30 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

OFFINABUS after FT

Refereed a closely fought U18 game between two mediocre sides with no unpleasantness.... at final whistle a player from losing side that hadn't otherwise drawn my attention suddenly started effing and blinding about me, the lino, the pitch etc.. Upon being told to watch his language he told me in no uncertain terms to F off.... I instinctively reached for my red card to send him off but decided instead given the game had otherwise been uneventful, to inform his manager about the behaviour... Read more

29 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Liverpool v Nottm Forest

Do feel for Liverpool. Been wanting to make a triple sub but thats been delayed as the 4th official is struggling with the boards. Being able to make the subs would have changed the flow of the game immediately in that no quick throw (the fact that the throw in would unlikely have happened either as they wanted the sub in the previous stoppages) would have happened. And the forward has had a stab at goal, missed, but a collision has caused him to go down and he's been afforded a second bite... Read more

29 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Dutch Referee Blog - Premier League assistant referee James Mainwaring on fitness and his WC2026 experiences

James Mainwaring, assistant referee at the 2026 World Cup, shares his favourite fitness exercise and fitness experiences during the World Cup. It was a fantastic experience for him and now he prepares for the new season. The fitness exercise he shares with us is intense. “I know that if I can get through this one, I can do anything.” Right after the World Cup he passed his fitness test, before he could take his annual leave. After 7 weeks abroad, he’s glad to have time off with his family... Read more

28 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Don't talk, card.

Now in my 3rd year, I have always tried to explain decisions or ask coaches to be reasonable and, more importantly, responsible in their behaviour, particularly in youth matches. I've gone to the benches and given them too much time to argue - and that is basically what they will do, they will also question your ability. This stops this year. My advice to any new referees: Don't enter into any discussions! If you have cause to go to the bench for behaviour, go up close but not too close... Read more

28 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Dutch Referee Blog - Delaying the restart of play to show a card

Delaying the restart of play to show a card is not seen often. It can happen when an attacking team takes a quick free kick. But is a card still needed then? In which cases it is needed? That’s what you’ll learn in this case study. A match situation A nice example of a quick restart is what you see in the following situation in the Saudi League between Al Nassr and Al Ettifaq. You see there’s a defender making a handball offence, but the referee is allowing a quick free kick. That results... Read more

26 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

L4 Assessment Slump

Just looking for some advice. I’m in my second season at L4, and I’ve found that my observation mark has dipped significantly since I started. My first three of my first season were either average or above average. My final three, and my most recent one have all been the high end of 71, with one bad anomaly. I learned quite a few lessons in my first season, and taking marks below 72 were hard pills to swallow but I tried to come back with a renewed sense of confidence. Mentally and... Read more

26 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Brentford v Tottenham

With the new laws on throw ins, not sure if deliberate ploy or not, but I noticed that Collins was being a nuisance with the Tottenham players forcing Michael Oliver to stop the restart a few times to "have a word", cut it out etc.... This meant that Kayode had "extra" time to prepare for his long throw. Did IFAB think this part in to their calculations? I personally think its both clever tactically, but also US. Not quite caution level USB but almost on par of circumventing the laws///

23 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

Rescinding yellow card after game

I am genuinely interested in getting feedback to this situation. The referee cautions a plyer and gives a free kick. The free kick is taken, the ball goes out for a corner and then the corner is taken, before the referee blows for full time. As the cautioned player now has accumulated four yellow cards, he must serve a one game suspension. The coach informs the referee of this and tells him that he hopes thast the referee does the right think and not put the yellow card in his match... Read more

23 Aug

Forums/RefChat — Forums

West Brom 2 game ban for handball

Aune Heggebo: West Bromwich Albion striker banned for 'handball goal' West Bromwich Albion striker Aune Heggebo is banned for two matches by the FA for scoring a goal with his hand against Norwich City. www.bbc.com How on earth can they do this under the current competition and LotG framework? My firm belief is that retrospective punishment would be hugely beneficial for football - but until it is actually implemented and any additional criteria defined… I mean wtf

21 Aug