Registration 2026/27

[RefereeX]

On the DBS 'volunteer' thing the official government line on free checks is the applicant must not 'receive any payment (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses)'. Match officials obviously do receive payments beyond that so we are either being wrongly advised or the FA has some kind of exceptional arrangement.

But would that not mean providing you do at least 1 match in the 3 years (or however long it lasts) that you aren't paid for, then you can qualify for it? Most match officials would do I think, whether that be a cup final or otherwise

 

[DavidObs]

But would that not mean providing you do at least 1 match in the 3 years (or however long it lasts) that you aren't paid for, then you can qualify for it? Most match officials would do I think, whether that be a cup final or otherwise

Good point (also good to see you have updated your profile!!).

 

[CaptainsPlease]

Many from L4 may well argue that they do not receive payment beyond travel and other approved out of pocket expenses eg kit, coats, tracksuits etc. If this wasn’t the case, are they declaring income for tax purposes. At the time of me completing the DBS form via the FA’s third party provider, I didn’t fully appreciate the impact of having to tick either Observer Paid or Observer unpaid (same for Referees), but I do now having paid £60, rather than £12. However, I am comfortable with the payment since I am conscious free of any review etc (most of my fixed payments are swallowed up by travelling expenses though there is a £10 increase for 2026/27).

Referees are paid fees, not expenses only. Any referees grossing over £1000 are required to declare the income to HMRC.

But would that not mean providing you do at least 1 match in the 3 years (or however long it lasts) that you aren't paid for, then you can qualify for it? Most match officials would do I think, whether that be a cup final or otherwise

No that is not what it means. The term used is receiving 'any payment' beyond that. So all your matches would have to be on an expenses-only basis to qualify for the free check.

 

[RefereeX]

Referees are paid fees, not expenses only. Any referees grossing over £1000 are required to declare the income to HMRC.

No that is not what it means. The term used is receiving 'any payment' beyond that. So all your matches would have to be on an expenses-only basis to qualify for the free check.

I feel that could be disputed though. Regardless of the fact I referee other matches that I got paid for with a DBS check I already have, I did use that DBS check for the volunteer purpose it was was taken out for.

I don’t actually know, and I’ve never done the volunteer thing for clarity… but just playing devils advocate.