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I think VAR increases the risk of this unsavoury sight, to be honest. Because the need and ability to change a decision is immediately available, and seems in common ownership (rather than at the referee's discretion) despite directives to the contrary.

I was also surprised nothing was called for a while (again, I think that is another unforeseen problem with VAR). I had a similar one last weekend where I could be damned if I knew what exactly had happened, but there was a complete mess-up by the goalkeeper, limbs and bodies flying around, and...

I just find it amusing how wrong you appear to have got me given that for a long time I have been told (both in terms of my day job and refereeing) that I give people the benefit of the doubt, do not always apply logical consequences to actions, and in fact should be more cold-blooded. I was...

I struggle to see how I have demonstrated a lack of empathy. That is some stretch. I took a game with a few days' notice and didn't realise I would have to wear particular studs. So there was frustration there, but at least they lent me boots. Of course, if he strictly could not be moved, that...

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. For the record, no! I did an U18 game after the U7 matches, and this booking was for a 17 yo. (Although there were some chuckles among the youngsters about the possibility of getting a booking in their very first game at 6 years of age; a way to introduce...

I don't see an issue with the OP's approach here really. As we know, it is rare that a CAR will follow pre-match instructions to the letter. I tell them that if I don't blow/overrule, they should not worry. We can always discuss problems during a break in play. Some will raise the flag because...

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. There are paramedics on standby for the Premier League, I suppose. It was shortly after the 70 minute mark, so the result will probably stand. As for 3G, I will have to gather a bigger sample but am open to your impressions.

I was called up to fill a few gaps this morning (my first non-friendly fixtures for 18 months due to work), and it was quite eventful. Some issues that I wouldn't mind some input on: 1) There is no way U7 mini soccer can fit into a 45-minute schedule. Either return to 20 minute halves or make...

It may be consistent on their current terms, but they seem very strange to me. Using VAR partially keeps begging further questions. The demand, once awoken, is insatiable. Assistants will be threatened next.

I am very interested by the suggestion that VAR as a subconscious fallback is reducing refereeing quality, though I realise that cannot be proven. That would, however, create a self-fulfilling prophecy, which then fuels a spiral of technological meliorism. A sad state of affairs for a game where...

Thanks for your replies; there is very little you can do there, I agree, and I essentially sold it like that (not guessing etc). It's just one of those things that sometimes happens in a tough game and makes you feel worse!

I was already having a bad day before this afternoon fixture, and then the match turns on a huge incident at 3-1 to the away side (eventually 6-1 winners). Striker for home side is through and hits a shot with outside of the foot; I am begging it to go wide or in first time, as I am struggling...

Serious question: was it not a trifling touch from a back pass?

It's something non-referees are constantly vexed by, whether it's genuinely confounded (not malicious) parents on Saturday morning or pundits on national television who used to play. However much the LOTG are ingrained in our minds--and I could point to aspects of law with less inherent...

Is anyone else of the opinion that these were far more insidious than the average 'useless referees see nothing/never give us anything' remarks? He purported to know the motivation of an elite referee in an incredibly offensive way. However, the real problem is that he may well be right, and...

This had me laughing; they must have been a good set of lads given the recklessness to which some teams will descend when losing that heavily. One point: now I understand, but when you said 'slid through', I initially thought you were saying that the goalkeeper had taken the striker out and you...

Thanks; that's essentially what I was aiming for. It will always be perceived as a cop-out by some, I suppose. If it hadn't been a final, I probably wouldn't have worried about the keeper colour clash. I just had visions of a last minute penalty area scramble with both keepers involved!

I am wondering whether any of you feel you make any allowances (conscious or not) for players significantly shorter than average. I was refereeing a junior school final yesterday, and fortunately controversy was kept to a minimum. However, the losing side started to become frustrated whenever I...

Apologies to anyone who has already mentioned this, but the fact that the team who scored the goal were 2-0 down in the 89th minute--as wrong as this may be--must have influenced the referee's willingness to let that incident unfold.

Although in this case I think it is a foul on the goalkeeper, I agree with GraemeS on the FA's response. Why spend so much time updating the granular details of laws to which one seldom has recourse when, on the very occasion those granular details come into play, referees are told to make the...