decisions

I’m still awaiting my first appointment and haven’t refereed a proper game for about 2 or 3 months (I did a small sided tournament in June). I’m worried that I’m going to be really rusty in my first game back. This is also going to be my first full season refereeing. I was wondering what’s the...

Red Number Three slides across the halfway line, carving a rift through the icy layer atop the turf. The Blue centre midfielder topples spectacularly like a felled oak, crashing shoulder-first into the ground with a thud. Multiple, resonant cries of ‘Ref!’ flood Gallin’s ears, but as he winces...

Gallin blows on his whistle and straightens his arm out to the side to signal the direct free-kick. Red Number Six responds by throwing both arms in the air and spinning round to face the referee. ‘What the ****, ref?’ ‘What? I got that right, don’t you think?’ Gallin retorts with a pert smile...

Blue Number Four scoops up the ball and wipes away the moisture in a makeshift pouch in front of his shirt whilst hastily scouting the pitch for an available and well-positioned teammate. Gallin blows again on his whistle. ‘Red throw. It’s red ball,’ he says with some conviction. The spectators...