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I used to referee 3 underage games on a Sat and an open age on a Sunday but gave it up as it got in the way of my (long distance) running. What I'd suggest you look at is: - Hydration: Ensure you take on plenty of water before, during and immediately after a game. Also make sure you are taking...

Been in the situation plenty of times. Don't recall ever cautioning, but will not disagree with a ref who decides to.

Similar happened to me last year. Turned around and saw goalkeeper on ground and opposition player standing over him. I didn't see what happened so explained to both players that because I couldn't see it there was nothing I could do. Keeper not happy and ended up getting booked for dissent...

As James said, we are a referee forum and discuss issues related to the laws of the game. We get assigned to games and are charged with applying the laws in those games. We have no authority outside any duties assigned to us by a footballing authority. What you describe is an issue at training...

What are you hoping to achieve from going back to the ref? Chances are that whatever your motivation, the ref has likely forgotten about incident, or realised they were mistaken. Either way, it's quite likely they'll not see it in a positive way and it could come back on you later. I'd suggest...

Palms the ball away - DOGSO. If he had cupped his hands around his nether region to protect himself and made a genuine attempt to stop the ball with a legal part of his body but it deflected off the outside of his hands that were still cupped around his privates, I'd be inclined to call it a...

I allowed a game to go ahead one late autumn afternoon on what turned out to be a mud bath. I should have called it at half time if not sooner, but allowed it to continue as it wasn't particularly dangerous. I start getting some comments from the sideline about keeping up with play and I had to...

Not in my league in Ireland. We always buy our own, and I typically wear one colour jersey to a match but bring another 2.

Absolutely what es1 said. Once its clear they only want to moan or lecture, I speak over them to tell them I have no interest in being lectured at, thank them, and walk away, even if they continue speaking. I ignore everything from there. I also have absolutely zero interest in any feedback...

Been there plenty of times, and if it looks like a player is walking off I do what GrameS mentions - I always move to a point of a triangle where our two positions are the other points. This might only be a yard or two but it is perceived as you being accommodating without eroding authority. If...

Firstly, sometimes I have had an excellent game where players think I was awful and others I know I have been poor, but no one seemed to notice or care. So, I've learned by now that once the game is done, it's done. Likewise with any decision in the game. So, chin up and move on. During a game...

This is something I wholeheartedly agree with - hydrate, stretch and get fitter. 24 months ago I would be in bits the day after 3 back to backs as it was the only form of exercise I did. Now I run 40+ miles a week outside games and learned over time that drinking enough water before, during and...

At the time, I thought I almost certainly wouldn't give a penalty for that in one of my games, and I probably still think the same. My rationale was that Richarlison came in from behind and the defender was already playing the ball. The defenders actions were not careless, as they had no idea...

I ran a few lines for the first time this past year, and some of the things that jump out, at least where I am (Ireland). Others can correct for UK. Ask your ref how he wants you to manage fouls. I've had some refs that only want a call if it was obvious that they didn't see it. Also, they'll...

To throw out something I regularly notice. When I ref underage games on a Saturday, bad language is rife, but when I do schools games, it is rare. Goes to show that players can generally control themselves but choose not to.

Oh wow. Here in Ireland, the different leagues have their own disciplinary rules, and the one I referee in allow the league executive to ban anyone indefinitely for cases of serious abuse. For lower levels of abuse, there are suspensions and large fines. I've even seen teams been kicked out of...

Have the referees stated what they are looking for before returning? I can only assume the issue is the league is failing to adequately punish the offenders (players, teams or clubs) to the level the referees are expecting.

Absolutely @GraemeS it is difficult in real life. That's why I mentioned about us as referees having a "genuine concern". While head injuries are relatively common, if we have concerns about the welfare of a child, it is up to us primarily as responsible adults to step in. What I do know is (i)...

Whoa now. Lets see. An u12 player is on the pitch and the referee has genuine concerns about the child having a head injury. I don't care, I ain't playing on with him on the pitch. This isn't about laws of the game or being a referee, this is just common sense. I'd rather be banned from...

When I started, refereeing was the only "exercise" I got, and as I do 3 matches every Saturday. I fell asleep that night on the couch and my legs were very stiff on the Sunday. Then I started running during week, and similar to JamesL, I do a lot of running now (about 40 miles a week outside of...