This is the a bit delayed sequel to “A revisit to the VAR concept and its application (part 1)." In that first part, I have pointed out that whether you like it or not, the VAR system is with us to stay, so let us try to enjoy it as much as possible because we cannot...

The likes of Wilfried Zaha and Raheem Sterling are notorious around the Premier League for their silky dribbling skills and attacking prowess, and it’s no surprise that both have been involved in NINE VAR reviews this season as they lead the league in the amount of...

Below is the final table of Referee appointments together with the number of red and yellow cards issued in the season. Total of 45 Red Cards is a very low number. Longest serving referee Lee Mason was appointed to only 16 games and I wonder if this is a signal that...

Offences and Sanctions There is a significant change to the law on the Penalty Kick this coming season and it is important to digest and understand it before a ball is kicked. If at the taking of a penalty kick the goalkeeper offends: If the ball enters the goal, a...

A club footballer has been banned for a year for abusing a referee in a match in Manawatū. Central Football announced on Tuesday a player had been suspended for “over 12 months” for verbal and physical threatening behaviour towards a match official. The player was...

Written by Soccer America In the first part of this series we discussed old school refereeing namely “refereeing by the book” and the transformation into “man management” in modern day refereeing. (Since Jaap Uilenberg used the phrase ‘man management’ when I was first...

Players who deliberately cough at opponents or referees can be shown RED or YELLOW CARDS under new FA guidelines issued amid the coronavirus pandemic  The instructions to referees will come in immediately and will be applied at ALL levels of the game  The FA said...

The Premier League is back but not without controversy.

After 100 days, the top flight returned with Aston Villa vs Sheffield United. However goalline technology grabbed all the headlines, as a goal was not given despite the ball crossing the line.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher called it embarrassing and Mark Clattenburg said VAR should have intervened.

Former Head of the PGMOL (refereeing body) will be joined by Roger Dilkes and Mark Halsey at 3pm this afternoon to discuss the incident on Ref Lounge. You can sign up free here.

This blog is proudly created By Keith Hackett for Keys to Referee. REFEREES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY THE 1,2, & 3 STEPPED PROCESS WHEN MANAGING PLAYERS. Before I write this article, I will always encourage referees to apply the law and not to shirk from the...