Recent content by ARF

At lower levels where they use the Standard Code of Rules, protests "relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities" must be lodged with the referee prior to kick-off, any other protests must be lodged within seven days of the match. However, there doesn't appear...

Despite having seen it said several times on social media that Crystal Palace only turned up with 8, a clip that AFC Wimbledon posted of a goal in the first half shows they had 11 on the field at that point!

For me this is not a handling offence. The arm was down to cushion the fall, and there is no chance for the defender to move his arm out of the way - it's a completely natural position IMO. The hand doesn't move from first touching the ground to the ball hitting his arm, it's only because he's...

I've had similar sweat issues so far this season - hoping we've seen the last of the hot weather! I use the b+d compact set (same as The Ref Stop one, I believe). Had to make sure I was putting it back in my pocket with the card side facing outwards rather than inwards in order to stop it...

From 1000+ matches, I reckon I could probably count on one hand the number of times where advantage could have been applied from an incorrectly taken restart (and none whatsoever that actually come to mind at the moment)... but it's nice to have it there if needed!

I'd contact your RDO/County FA about it - that doesn't sit right with me at all.

The scenario in the Q&A posted above, for one...

Cautioning for re-entering the FoP without permission would be incorrect in law here. The only possible action you could take here would be to deem it unsporting behaviour. I don't think it rises to the level of USB, but can appreciate that some other referees might think it does. However, if...

The 'successful deception of a match official' offence has existed since the start of the 2017-18 season; although it originally was only used for acts of simulation, there have been other players charged and suspended under this rule. This one may be the first time it's specifically been for...

I'm not sure The Times is right there; it has definitely been used on a number of occasions before.

I really think people are misunderstanding these countdown additions - it's just a handy tool to use if a player/team is deliberately trying to slow the game down/waste time. It doesn't need to be done on every single goal kick and throw-in if the players aren't extracting the urine. It's down...

I imagine there may have been incidents in previous seasons with verbal and/or physical abuse from adult spectators towards U18 players after they have been substituted and are walking around the FoP back to the dugout, which would be safeguarding issues.

"A player is not required to leave the field of play for one minute when: - the player: - indicates that they do not require medical attention, except where play was stopped for the injury" You need to be able to adapt how you are refereeing to recognise if a team is attempting to take...

I don't think you can argue that. Not using the LotG, anyway ;)

If the player leaves the FoP voluntarily to get treatment, they don't need to wait a minute to re-enter, so either way it's fine.