Refereeing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Who is Slovakia vs Spain referee Bjorn Kuipers and how many European Championships has Dutch ref officiated?

      by

      SLOVAKIA and Spain will be handled by one of Europe’s most experienced referees as they face off in Seville.Bjorn Kuipers will take charge as he returns to tournament football following his appearance at the World Cup three years ago.
      The Dutch ref is part of Uefa’s elite groupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Who is Bjorn Kuipers?
      Kuipers, 48, is vastly experience and has been reffing since 2002.
      He began in the Dutch leagues and worked his way up the ranks, becoming a Fifa listed ref in 2006.
      He eventually joined the Uefa elite list in 2009.
      Kuipers remains a fixture of the Dutch Eredivise, as well as high profile European competitions – where he most famously took charge of the Champions League final in 2014 between Real and Atletico.
      Referees will have VAR to assist them in RussiaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Chelsea fans may remember he sent off Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 2015 Champions League, after being surrounded by nine Blues’ players.
      And he took charge of this season’s Champions League semi-final first leg between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
      In 2018 he refereed Atletico Madrid in a final again, as Diego Simeone’s side beat Marseille 3-0.
      And the same year he went to the World Cup, refereeing England’s quarter-final win over Sweden.

      Has he officiated at the European Championship before?
      Kuipers is extremely experienced, having officiated at both Euro 2012 and Euro 2016.
      In 2012, he was forced to suspend a group game between Ukraine and France thanks to an electrical storm.
      And in 2016, he refereed the quarter-final between France and Iceland. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      VAR to use ‘thicker lines’ in Premier League in bid to give advantage back to attackers after offside controversies

      by

      VAR officials will use ‘thicker lines’ to rebalance Prem VAR calls in favour of attackers from next term.The decision to change the way Stockley Park operates offside calls was agreed by the 20 Prem clubs at their AGM in Harrogate.

      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game

      New ‘thicker lines’ will be introduced to help with VAR calls next seasonCredit: BT SportWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      Clubs chiefs heard a presentation from refs’ boss Mike Riley following the survey of clubs, players, managers and fans.
      And while a working party will be set up to draft guideline principles for what should be determined as penalty offences, Riley and his officials will implement the new system on offside calls.
      It means that the ‘defensive line’ will be drawn thicker than the one pixel width of the attacking line, intended to cover around 10cm of real space.
      Riley and Prem chiefs believe this will give more margin of error for attackers, who will effectively be allowed to be marginally in front – by up to 10cm – of the last defender and still be deemed onside.
      Fifa and law-makers Ifab are understood to have given their approval after world chief Gianni Infantino admitted some correct calls were now too tight and not necessarily in the spirit of the game.
      The decision is likely to be a two-season sticking plaster aimed at making VAR more acceptable to fans and is expected to speed up decisions.
      But the Prem, which is already trialling the semi-automatic ‘robo-ref’ offside calls, would be likely to adopt that technology, which uses computerised skeletal framing of players, from the 2023-24 season.
      Meanwhile, following a series of contentious spot-kick calls last term, the working party will be constituted as soon as possible to put together the penalty guidelines.

      EURO 2020 BETTING SPECIAL

      How the top pundits of the two channels stack up against each other

      Club bosses agreed the ‘bar’ for what is deemed a spot-kick offence needs to be raised after fans and players alike complained of too many ‘soft’ penalties being awarded last term.
      The meeting was said to have been ‘polite’ despite the underlying tensions caused by the failed Big Six breakaway attempts.
      But those issues have not gone away and will continue to play a role going forwards.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Bruno Fernandes caught moaning about referee for VAR delay in secret tunnel footage leaked from Man Utd’s final loss More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Karren Brady: Refereeing in the Premier League is worse than ever as West Ham have ANOTHER red card rescinded

      by

      FOR THE second time this season a West Ham player has been cleared after being sent off.First in February it was Tomas Soucek who was relieved to be told the referee had made a wrong decision and then this week it was Fabian Balbuena.
      Fabian Balbuena was shown a shock red card last weekend which has now been rescindedCredit: Rex
      Each time after the referee had consulted a touchline screen link with VAR.
      Cynical refereeing judgment perhaps played a part. But it is the current system of pressurising refs by implication that warrants the equivalent of a red card.
      The Stockley Park mob, blinking in front of an array of screens, may get more offsides right although, goodness knows, they often do so to the fury of people who don’t see any sense in arms or shirt sleeves being involved.
      The refereeing itself has been poor this season, possibly the worst I have seen in the Premier League.
      No doubt there will be statistics that prove me wrong but, subjectively, I can remember no time when the whistle was so out of tune with the game.
      VAR was sold to us as a way of perfecting decisions.
      These two red cards alone proved the opposite: not until the refs were requested to look at the screen did sendings off seem even a possibility.
      Especially since both the incidents took place right in front of the ref’s own eyes.
      Mike Dean wrongly sent off Tomas Soucek in FebruaryCredit: Reuters
      BETTING SPECIAL – GET £60 IN FREE BETS FOR PUNCHESTOWN

      But despite that, both took the VERY broad hint from Stockley Park — and thrust out red cards to the amazement of the players and disgust of millions  of viewers.
      Of the Balbuena incident against Chelsea, manager David Moyes said the decision was ‘rank, rotten’, adding: ‘I think it’s been made by somebody who has never played the game.’
      And, yes, he’s absolutely right. VAR never played a game and never will.
      Anger at London Stadium or in any other quarter in no way excuses the death threat to Mike Dean, who has sent off seven players so far this season, or anyone else. Such stupidity only redirects sympathy.
      Referees are bound to make mistakes, most of us are grown-up enough to understand that, and VAR was intended to take some of the weight of responsibility from their shoulders.
      It has, a little, but its replacement is fury at some of the rubbish meant to be impartial judgment.
      Crazy offside rulings are one thing, unwarranted sending off of players is quite another.
      To Soucek, it was defamation. Our midfielder had not previously been sent off in more than 200 games and there he was walking off the pitch after a pure accident. It was Dean who sent him to the stands at Fulham.
      David Moyes was fuming at the decisionCredit: PA
      Sofiane Feghouli was red carded in 2017… another that was chalked offCredit: Getty – Contributor
      His career is studded with such incidents, including another involving my club in 2017 when his dismissal of Sofiane Feghouli was rescinded.
      Six out of the seven of our more recent appeals have been accepted, although four of those were pre-VAR, facts which imply that things are no  better and no worse than they were.
      Refs spurred by VAR seem more willing to show yellow cards, many for tackles that once were taken for granted.
      So far this season in the Premier League no fewer than 955 have been flourished, many justified but some laughable.
      Paul Tierney is averaging no less than four in 20 games, and here’s a stat if you like, Martin Atkinson has awarded an average 0.09 penalties a game to Anthony Taylor’s 0.48.
      Penalties, obviously cannot be rescinded.
      VAR’s influence is now so great that 108 have been awarded and the record number for a season is going to be burst wide open. West Ham have had only a measly three.
      Football isn’t about justice, we know. But neither is trial by television.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      David Moyes says the red card in West Ham’s game against Chelsea was a rank and rotten decision More

    • 188 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Brave referee Sapir Berman comes out as transgender and set to undergo gender reassignment surgery

      by

      BRAVE referee Sapir Berman has come out as transgender and is set to undergo gender reassignment surgery.The Israeli official, 26, is in her second season as a top-flight official, having worked her way up her country’s pyramid.
      Brave Sapir Berman addressed the media at a press conferenceCredit: AP
      Berman, 26, will now begin gender reassignment surgeryCredit: AP
      But Berman, whose birth name was ‘Sagi’, will now start officiating games as a woman.
      And in a press conference this week, she revealed that she has gratefully received large support from the Israeli football comminuty.
      Having begun living publicly as a woman three months ago, Berman told reporters: “I always saw myself as a woman, from a young age.
      “I realised society will not accept me, will not be on my side, so I continued like this for nearly 26 years.
      “I decided to come out and to show who I am, first of all to myself, for my soul.”
      Players have been receptive and respectful, addressing her by the correct pronouns even when moaning about decisions on the field.
      And she is grateful for their response, adding: “It shows me there’s change in society.”
      The Israeli FA have also done their bit to make Berman feel accepted, taking to social media to release a supportive message.
      Berman has refereed in the Israeli top flight for two seasonsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sapir_berman/?hl=en

      Their tweet read: “We have a new Referee, Sapir Berman. The first Referee to be transgender. We are so proud!”
      Berman has now been given separate dressing rooms to her male counterparts.
      And managing director of Israel’s referees association Jair Teper added: “The gender identity is of no importance to us, what counts is only the skills on the football field.”
      Berman isn’t the world’s first transgender referee, with British official Lucy Clark having come out back in 2018.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Referee orders players back from dressing room after blowing whistle a minute early in Sevilla’s win over Granada More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Rebecca Welch was DELIGHTED to get grief while making ref history in League Two clash between Harrogate and Port Vale

      by

      REBECCA WELCH revealed players ‘chewed her ear off’ when she made ref history earlier this month.She became the first woman to officiate an EFL match from the start in the League Two clash between Harrogate and Port Vale.
      Rebecca Welch says she was delighted when Harrogate and Port Vale players started ‘chewing her ear off’Credit: Rex
      She became the first woman to officiate an EFL match from the start in the League TwoCredit: Reuters
      And despite the constant clicking of cameras to capture the momentous day, she was delighted when the players started giving her grief.
      Welch, 37, said: “The players didn’t treat me any differently – they were still chewing my ear off as they went past.
      “That was nice because I was a bit afraid of them not being like that.
      “You want players to go, ‘You got that one wrong, ref,’ or ‘It’s gone so well in the last 10 minutes’.
      “You need that and when I got it I felt normal and that I could just referee the game.
      “I was sick of hearing the camera clicking, but it’s the nature of the beast.
      “People say it went really well but, for me, it was just a normal game.”
      A whirlwind week has left the Washington, County Durham-born whistler’s mum asking why she isn’t on the telly anymore.
      There are some quality players up for grabs for nothing

      Speaking in a Q&A in aid of North East mental health charity If U Care Share, Welch added: “In 50 years I’ll be in the history books – it’s really nice but, yeah, it’s a game of football.
      “But I understand the bigger picture that it’s not about one game, it’s about inspiring the next generation to come through.
      “The next step is definitely the Football League (permanently).”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Referee Rebecca Welch impresses on EFL debut as Port Vale win at Harrogate More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Prem ref Martin Atkinson reveals ex-Arsenal star Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to deal with

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE referee Martin Atkinson revealed Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to deal with – after the former Arsenal star invited him to ref his testimonial in the Czech Republic. And Atkinson said Alan Stubbs was the toughest player he has officiated, with the Everton hard man “scaring me to death”. 
      Atkinson is a big fan of the former Arsenal favourite after the former midfielder invited him to ref his testimonialCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Speaking at a Q&A in aid of North East mental health charity If U Care Share, the Prem whistler was asked who he enjoyed reffing most. 
      Rosicky arrived in North London from Borussia Dortmund in 2006. 
      His 10 year spell with the Gunners was hampered by a series of long-term injuries but he won two FA Cups before leaving for Sparta Prague in 2016 and retiring the next year aged 37.
      And Leeds-fan Atkinson, 50, said: “I’ve been lucky that I’ve got on with the vast majority of players but one that stands out is Tomas Rosicky.
      “I always got on really well with him. We just pleasantly got on, not best mates or owt like that but he was always really respectful. 
      “And when he left Arsenal, when he retired eventually, an unknown email came through and it was from Sparta Prague asking if I will go out and referee his retirement game. 
      “You just never expect that and it was just a nice thing.” 
      Atkinson, a former police officer, made his top-flight bow in the 2004/05 season.  
      And he named burly scottish centre back Stubbs as the toughest player to try and keep under control. 

      Asked who he least enjoyed reffing, Atkinson said: “Alan Stubbs at Everton. 
      “He would kick anything that moved, was hard as nails and scared me to death when I first got on. 
      “He was just so tough to referee that it was, like, impossible. I learned a lot from that – you learn how to manage players.”
      No-nonsense Everton defender making a beeline for Atkinson in 2007Credit: Alamy More

    • 188 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Prem referee Howard Webb marries German VAR Bibiana Steinhaus in secret but continues long-distance relationship

      by

      FORMER Premier League referee Howard Webb has married his long-term girlfriend Bibiana Steinhaus.The 49-year-old split with his ex-wife Kay back in 2016, but found love again in German ref Bibiana.
      Howard Webb has web long-term girlfriend Bibiana SteinhausCredit: Jurgen Wegner
      After years of dating, Webb and Steinhaus tied the knot in secret during last month’s international break.
      For now, however, the couple maintain a long-distance relationship – with Webb living in New York, while Steinhaus still works as a VAR official in Germany.
      Having wed Webb, Steinhaus recently told Bild: “Yes, it’s true.
      “We got married during the last international break and are very happy.
      “Unfortunately, due to the Corona regulation, Howard and I could only take this important step as a pair. Not even witnesses were allowed.
      “Of course there was no honeymoon either.”
      She also revealed that, come her next match, viewers would be seeing a different name on screen: “As of now, Ms. Steinhaus-Webb is sitting in the Video-Assist-Center in Cologne.”
      Webb refereed in the Premier League between 2003 and 2014, rising up the ranks to become one of the most revered officials in the game.
      CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH
      Webb, 49, has been dating Steinhaus for a number of yearsCredit: Social media

      He most famously took charge of the 2010 World Cup final, but hung up his whistle after the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
      The Yorkshireman split from ex-wife and mother of his three kids Kay five years ago, and alluded to the reasons why in his autobiography, The Man in the Middle.
      He wrote: “We worked hard and played hard. If a match had gone well, we’d reward ourselves by piling back to someone’s room, cracking open the beers and chatting until the early hours.
      “It was a charmed life, a self-centred life and I’d often experience a huge sense of anti-climax when I returned home.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Steinhaus, 42, refereed in Germany until last seasonCredit: EPA
      Webb took charge of the 2010 World Cup finalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Scott Parker says the game is becoming sterile as VAR kills football More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Incredibly buff ref Anderson Daronco leaves fans stunned as they joke players are terrified to argue with his decisions

      by

      HENCH referee Anderson Daronco has left fans stunned on social media.The Brazilian officiates in his home country’s top-flight.
      Fans were stunned as this picture went viral of referee Anderson DaroncoCredit: Twitter
      The Brazilian also officiates international matchesCredit: Getty
      And pictures have circulated online of Daronco, 40, taking charge of games, with his rippling biceps on display.
      Players petulantly arguing with officials is a common sight in football.
      But Twitter users have joked that they wouldn’t dare remonstrate with Daronco.
      One wrote: “If he gave me a red card, I would say to him ‘sorry’ and offer to put it back in his pocket for him.”
      Another added: “I don’t think any player ll challenge his decision”.
      A third quipped: “Meet Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco. If he gave me a red card I’d say thank you.
      “Look at the size of them arms”.
      Daronco also seems to be making a positive impact in other ways.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      The South American is a commanding man in the middleCredit: Getty

      In August last year, he became the first referee in Brazil to halt a match because of homophobic chanting.
      The incident, not new in Brazilian football, took place in a game between Vasco de Gama and Sao Paulo.
      And Daronco intervened, stopping play and instructing home manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo to address the crowd.
      Fans joked that they would not dare to mess with Daronco due to his bulging bicepsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Agbonlahor brands Mike Dean ‘the most arrogant fool you will ever see’ and claims referee tells players to ‘get lost’ More