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    ‘Just doing my job’ – EFL referee reveals how he dealt with star being racially abused as he’s praised for interview

    AN EFL referee says he was “just doing my job” after revealing how he dealt with the disgusting Omar Bogle racist abuse.The disgraceful incident occurred in a League Two match on October 28 at Gillingham.Newport star Omar Bogle was racially abused during a game at Gillingham by a fanCredit: X @SkySportsNewsEFL referee Tom Reeves has opened up on how he dealt with the situationCredit: X @SkySportsNewsEFL referee Tom Reeves discusses handling an incident of racism involving Newport County striker Omar Bogle and a Gillingham supporter. pic.twitter.com/epsSL8Vu0m— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 29, 2024

    Bogle, 30, scored two first half penalties to earn Newport County a 2-0 victory away to the Gills.However, it was not the striker’s brace that was the main talking point from the game.After slotting home the first spot-kick, Bogle was racially abused by a Gillingham supporter as he celebrated.The fan ran over in front of him in the stands and made a monkey gesture.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBen Burchell, 28, who has learning difficulties, admitted a charge of racially aggravated breach of public order at Medway Magistrates court.He escaped a football banning order but received 40 hours of community service and was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to Bogle after pleading guilty to racially abusing the star.Burchell was also told that he cannot attend professional football matches on his own for a period of 12 months without a carer.Tom Reeves was the referee on that day, and now the court case has been held, he has discussed his handling of the shocking incident with Sky Sports News.Most read in EFLHe revealed how it was the first time in his career he had dealt with a fan racially abusing a player but explained how he felt equipped to handle it following his training.Reeves said that “alarm bells” rang when he noticed several Newport players running over to a particular section of the home end.Shocking moment referee is CHASED OFF pitch by pitch invader in Port Vale vs Portsmouth clashHe was then informed about the racial abuse, which led to him approaching Bogle to get a statement from him and give it to his fourth official to make sure it was recorded and make the police and Gillingham safety officer aware.Reeves then said that the fan had been removed from the stadium already by the time he spoke to them, allowing the official to reassure Bogle that it was being dealt with and encourage him to work with him for the remainder of the game.Before the second penalty, Reeves also spoke with Bogle as it was in the same spot as his first.The ref said: “I didn’t want him to celebrate in front of the same group of fans because there could be potential further problems.“I just said to him to think about it if he scores, where he celebrates.”He then explained how he did not want the forward’s emotions to get the better of him as he praised the forward for “working really well” with him.Reeves went on to explain the protocol for such incidents, revealing he checked with Bogle that he was still “OK to continue” and to reassure him again just before the start of the second period.He then got full statements from Bogle and a member of Newport’s team, who on this occasion was the assistant manager, after the game.Reeves said: “The reason we do that is so I can report it to the FA for a full investigation.”Ben Burchell pleaded guilty to racially abusing the forwardOmar Bogle scored two goals during the game, both from the penalty spotCredit: GettyHe said: “We have a particular protocol in place that we follow and there’s certain steps that we go through from the moment the player lets you know about it all the way through to the full time whistle.”Reeves added: “We as referees go there to referee a game of football and don’t expect anyone to go through what Omar had to.“Actually, that night I had messages and phone calls from various people just checking up on me to make sure that I was OK.“But for me, it was ensuring Omar was OK to get through the game, I made sure my report could be reported to the FA so a full investigation could take place.“I was just doing my job, being professional as possible to ensure the game was fully under control and Omar was OK.”After Sky Sports News released the interview, fans rushed to heap praise on Reeves for how he handled the ordeal.One posted on X: “Respect to referee Tom Reeves for the brilliant interview on @SkySportsNews regarding the Newport striker Omar Bogle incident.“Handled the racism incident perfectly.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnother wrote: “Effective refereeing when the racists are in town. Well done Tom Reeves.”And a third added: “A horrible incident handled expertly by Tom Reeves. Well done, Tom.” More

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    Former Premier League referee’s new job leaves fans baffled after BBC cameras spot him at FA Cup clash

    FOOTBALL fans were left confused by Mark Clattenburg’s new job after he was spotted at Nottingham Forest’s clash with Manchester United.Earlier this month, the ex-Premier League referee, 48, was hired by Forest to become their “referee analyst”.Mark Clattenburg, left, sat next to PGMOL chief Howard Webb for Nottingham Forest’s clash with Manchester UnitedCredit: BBCClattenburg has been hired as Forest’s ‘referee analyst’Credit: GettyIt came as they watched decisions go against them in games against Newcastle and West Ham.Clattenburg, who refereed in the Premier League from 2004 to 2017, was in the stands for Forest’s 1-0 defeat to Man Utd on Wednesday evening.And he was sat alongside PGMOL chief Howard Webb as he took in the match.But when his job title flashed up on the screen – “Referee Analyst, Nottingham Forest” – many took to social media to joke about the baffling role he has undertaken.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne said: “Why on earth have Nottingham Forest hired Mark Clattenburg as a ‘Referee Analyst’?😂😂😂”Another added: “That should be unacceptable.”While a third replied: “Can we all talk about how Forest have hired Clattenburg and there [he] was tonight sitting beside the chief referee Howard Webb, absolutely mental 😂.”And a fourth joked: “Clattenburg would be more use on set pieces 😗.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSClattenburg refereed 297 Premier League games across a 13-year period.He also took charge of the 2016 Champions League final and the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France.Eight bizarre football rules you may not knowHe has recently been the lead referee in BBC TV show Gladiators.The classic series, which originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000, made a comeback earlier this year. More

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    LaLiga official left covered in blood and carried off on stretcher after being hit by a CAMERA

    A LALIGA match official was left covered in blood after being hit by a camera. Assistant referee Guadalupe Porras was left bloodied and on the floor during the Spanish league match between Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao.
    LaLiga assistant referee Guadalupe Porras received treatmentCredit: EPA

    Betis’ medical staff rushed over to help Porras after Chimy Avila’s goal in the 13th minute was confirmed following a VAR check, causing play to stop.
    Porras was then moved to an ambulance after being placed on a stretcher.
    Initially, it was unclear what had caused the incident.
    But according to Relevo, Porras was left bloodied after colliding with a close-up camera operator from Dazn which was filming the celebrations for the opener.
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    The official was replaced on the touchline by the fourth official Holgueras Castellanos following a lengthy delay.
    Porras was applauded off the pitch by the crowd in the Benito Villamarin as she her condition appeared to improve.
    LaLiga referee veteran Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez urged league president Javier Tebas to have a word with the camera operators.
    He told Cadena SER: “Message to Javier Tebas the camera goes where it shouldn’t go.
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    “Please let them work, the assistant referee is as professional as a player.”
    It was not the only time Betis’ medics were called into action, with Nabil Fekir also left in a bloody state in the 31st minute.
    Bizarre moment Arsenal target Nico Williams gets ‘dumbest red card ever seen’ after two yellows in 12 seconds – BEIN Sports 5
    However, the 30-year-old was able to carry on with cotton wool placed in his nose.
    Betis went on the win the game 3-1, with Bilbao’s Nico Williams being sent off after receiving two yellow cards in 12 SECONDS.
    You can watch the video of it above. More

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    Why football stars are scoring more penalties.. and the goalkeeper’s cheat code that could turn the tide

    VAR was supposed to end the controversy surrounding poor refereeing decisions in football. Instead, we have seen football slowed down with a myriad of replays and debates rage on the quality of officiating in the division.
    Penalties are being converted at record levelsCredit: The Times
    So how can goalkeepers tip the balance in their favour againCredit: Alamy
    How the Premier League five-year rolling average penalty conversion rate has increased
    The introduction of VAR has also led to a notable increase in the award of penalty kicks.
    According to Opta Analyst, the second season VAR was introduced saw 125 penalties awarded, or one every three games.
    This season has seen the figure stands at its fourth-highest in history, with one spot kick awarded every 3.5 games.
    With the increase in penalties being awarded, however, we have also seen penalties converted with record quality from 12 yards – an unprecedented 90 per cent.
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    Even from last season the five-season rolling average for penalty kicks being converted has increased to a staggering 81.1 per cent, up from 74.8 per cent in the 1996/97 season.
    Goalkeepers have been further handicapped by video technology with the new rule that they cannot move off their line until the penalty is struck.
    This, combined with outfield players seemingly continuing to take leaps in terms of technical ability and ball striking has seen more penalties being scored.
    Despite this there must be something goalkeepers can do to tip the scales back into their favour when facing penalties. Well, yes, there is. The key for goalkeepers though might be to do nothing at all…
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    Why do goalkeepers dive?
    In penalty shootouts at major competitions we often hear commentators say that all of the pressure is on the penalty taker with none on the goalkeeper.
    At the top level you expect players to be able to convert from the spot and as such the goalkeepers are not expected to save the shot.
    Jason Cummings channels Thierry Henry as he blunders famous spot-kick routine
    This means that goalkeepers will typically not be blamed by fans, coaches or team-mates for failing to stop the penalty but they will be highly praised should they manage to save one, or more than one.
    So, why do goalkeepers dive?
    We have seen a huge increase in outfield players adding a delay into their run before they strike the penalty.
    They will deliberately stutter or hop as they approach the ball before striking.
    Bukayo Saka stutters his run up as a tactic to throw off the goalkeeper
    This is intended to force the goalkeeper to move early and if the goalkeeper goes to one side then the player striking the penalty will go the opposite way.
    Despite not having the pressure on them, goalkeepers will still dive to their left or right as opposed to staying still in the centre of their goals. 
    Here Matheus Cunha stuttered and provoked Chelsea’s Djorde Petrovic into moving before he slotted the ball the opposite way
    If they stand still and the penalty goes to the left or the right then there will be an assumption from those watching that the goalkeeper did not do enough.
    Though the real reason behind the move is incomplete information.
    In this example Andre Onana sells himself early despite there being no run up from Pablo Sarabia
    Everton and England goalie Jordan Pickford went viral as cameras caught him looking at info on opposition penalty takers on crib sheets taped to his water bottles.
    Analysts at clubs will now spend time breaking down the penalty tendencies of players at their next opposition and goalkeepers will be given that information.
    This means that if a goalkeeper knows that their opponent goes to the goalkeepers left a high proportion of the time then diving in that direction is the smart thing to do.
    For goalkeepers to start saving more penalties we may well see them make a change to their approach to saving penalties, despite what fans might think.
    Should goalkeepers stand still?
    Although standing still in the centre of their goal may be against all of their instincts there is an argument that this would increase the chances of goalkeepers making a save from a penalty.
    In recent seasons we have seen a notable increase in the amount of players who include stutters or stops in their run as they wait for the goalkeeper to commit.
    This season has seen 15 spot kicks aimed down the middle of the goal, 14 of which have been scored.
    The conversion rate for these efforts sits at 93.3 per cent, while it the rate drops to 89.1 per cent for the corners.
    Last season the rate down the middle stood at 95 per cent while it was 69.6 per cent in the corners, with a total of 35 penalties being taken in the last two seasons.
    If goalkeepers can maintain their discipline and not move from the centre of the goal then this will start to put doubt in the head of the player who is taking the penalty.
    Here the goalkeeper commits to his right the ball before James Ward Prowse hits his penalty high to the middle
    They are essentially trying to wait until the last second before deciding whether to put the penalty to the left or to the right as opposed to making up their mind before they start their run up.
    The longer that the goalkeeper takes to move the greater the chance that the taker will start to panic and doubt themselves.
    Joao Pedro uses delays to wrong foot the goalkeeper before slotting the ball the other side of the net
    Waiting and staying in the centre of the goal would also be more effective for goalkeepers because of the technique and striking of players taking the kick.
    If the player in question catches the inside of the post, or even the side netting, with an accurate and well struck shot then there is very little chance that the goalkeeper could have made the save anyway.
    Here Ederson holds his central position for a Michael Olise penalty but loses his footing before the taker scores
    Increasingly, however, we are seeing penalties that are just played casually into the goal without getting anywhere near the corner of the goal.
    If goalkeepers were to remain in a central position then they would have more of a chance to react and save those penalties that are clipped just to either side but not right into the corner of the net.
    If the goalkeeper has the composure and conviction to stay in the centre of their goal then they will force the player taking the kick to amend their approach and perhaps overthink what they are going to do with the shot.
    Conclusion
    There is always a sense that the player taking the penalty has the advantage over the goalkeeper.
    And to be fair this should be the case as the defending team has been punished for a foul in their penalty area.
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    Goalkeepers, however, need to find a way to level the playing field and to put some more doubt into the minds of the players taking the penalty.
    We believe that we are going to see more goalkeepers taking the decision to stand and make themselves big in the centre of the goal in order to put doubt back into the minds of the penalty takers. More

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    Mystery as referee probed over claims he wore bodycam in kids’ footie match without permission

    A REF is being probed over claims he wore a bodycam in a kids’ footie match without permission.The match official told the coaches it was part of an FA-backed VAR-style trial.
    A ref is being probed over claims he wore a bodycam in a kids’ footie match without permission (stock pic)Credit: Getty
    Durham FA chief John Topping said they do not know if he was actually wearing video equipmentCredit: Supplied
    But when they double-checked, they were told there was no trial.
    An investigation has been launched by Northumberland and Durham County FAs following the U13 game in the Russell Foster Youth League.
    Refs wore bodycams in four grassroots leagues last ­season to see if respect improved — but only in adult matches and not in that area.
    Durham FA chief John Topping said they do not know if he was actually wearing video equipment.
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    But he added: “He informed the coaches he was recording everything.
    “They couldn’t understand because the FA did do a pilot a few months ago with bodycams but not here.”
    Local football chiefs said they are investigating after a ref registered to Northumberland FA allegedly used a body-worn camera at a recent fixture.
    They added: “We must clarify that referees are not currently permitted to use body-worn cameras at any time.”
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    Chelsea fans come up with hair-raising referee conspiracy theory which could see them win Carabao Cup final

    CHELSEA fans have come up with a hair-raising theory as to how they can win Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.The Blues go into Sunday’s showpiece Wembley clash with Liverpool as underdogs.
    Chris Kavanagh will be in charge of Sunday’s Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty
    Mauricio Pochettino’s side are 10th in the Premier League, 22 points behind their table-topping cup final opponents.
    Looking for hope to cling on to, fans have noticed the referee appointment for the game.
    Chris Kavanagh has been confirmed as Sunday’s whistler.
    And some fans are pleased with his appointment… because he’s got hair.
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    Reacting to the news, one fan wrote: “The good news the referee for Sunday has hair, which hopefully means we will get treated fairly LOL!!! Chris Kavanagh will referee the Carabao Cup Final.”
    To which a second celebrated: “No bald man this time around.”
    A third quipped: “That’s how we gonna win the cup.”
    While a fourth commented: “That’s a welcome news.”
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    And another added: “Better than bald ones.”
    Chelsea fans have long complained about Anthony Taylor, even petitioning to have him banned from officiating their games.
    Conor Gallagher apologises live on Sky Sports in interview after Chelsea’s win over Crystal Palace
    Blues supporters also felt they were denied a stonewall penalty against Liverpool in the league by Paul Tierney.
    Simon Hooper, however, has seemingly escaped their wrath.
    Kavanagh, 38, has in fact felt Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s wrath this season.
    The German, 56, was baffled by Kavanagh’s failure to award a penalty against Arsenal in December for Martin Odegaard’s handball.
    After the match, Klopp said: “I didn’t see it in the game, I saw it after and I think we all agree it was handball.
    “But I always wait until Mr Dermot (Gallagher) explains it the next day (in his role as a TV analyst) what’s really the case.
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    “He will find a way to explain to me why it was not handball. For me it’s a clear handball. I have no idea if it would have influenced the result.”
    Kavanagh has officiated Chelsea twice this season – in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal and 2-1 defeat at Manchester United.
    Anthony Taylor has frustrated Chelsea fans in the pastCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Paul Tierney took charge of Chelsea’s last clash with LiverpoolCredit: AP More

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    Mark Clattenburg hits back at Gary Neville over hyprocrisy after Man Utd legend said shock new job was a ‘step too far’

    MARK CLATTENBURG has his back at Gary Neville and accused him of hypocrisy after the pundit spoke out about his new job.The former Premier League referee has been hired as Nottingham Forest’s new referee analyst.
    Mark Clattenburg has hit back at Gary Neville and labelled him a ‘hypocrite’Credit: Getty
    Neville criticised Nottingham Forest’s appointment of Clattenburg as a referee’s analystCredit: PA
    As part of his role Clattenburg will watch Forest matches and advise the club on whether decisions were correct, if it was a subjective decision or not, and how to handle their grievances.
    He will also been in contact with PGMOL chief Howard Webb, but it is a move Neville has described as “a step too far”.
    Clattenburg has dismissed his concerns and suggested he is being hypocritical since Sky Sports – Neville’s employer – also lean on former refs for their expertise.
    Clattenburg told The Times: “I am disappointed that Gary Neville has come out with what he said.
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    “His employer, Sky Sports, employs ex-referees to help fans and viewers understand the Laws of the Game, and Nottingham Forest are just doing the same.”
    Neville expressed disappointment in both Clattenburg and the club, accusng Forest of haing a “woe is me attitude”.
    The former Manchester United star feels Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have taken things a step to far by becoming the first Prem club to hire a referee’s analyst.
    He said: “What is Mark Clattenburg doing? I’ve worked with Mark. What are you doing? You’re being employed to go and tell a football club how referees are making mistakes or what mistakes they’re making. A fan in the crowd could go and tell you what a referee is thinking.
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    “I’m disappointed with Nottingham Forest. It’s as if, look at all of this, woe me. I get it, some teams feel as though they’ve been hard done to, some teams feel they’ve had bad decisions against them. That happens sometimes during a season and I would have hated it.
    “But to employ an ex-referee to tell you why you’re having decisions against you. For me, I think it’s a step too far.”
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    Kalvin Phillips reveals he waited outside referee’s dressing room for half an hour after West Ham red card

    KALVIN PHILLIPS waited for half an hour outside ref Tom Bramall’s dressing room seeking the reason for his red card.But the gutted West Ham midfielder, 28, eventually admitted defeat after his first ever Premier League sending-off.
    Kalvin Phillips was sent off in West Ham’s 2-0 defeat to Nottingham ForestCredit: REX
    Phillips demanded an explanation for his dismissal from ref Tom Brawell and waited outside his dressing room for 30 minutesCredit: GETTY
    Manchester City loanee Phillips picked up two yellow cards in three minutes during the 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
    First, he pushed Nicolas Dominguez who tried to stop him taking a quick free-kick before being shown a second yellow for a challenge on Morgan Gibbs-White.
    Phillips said: “I waited outside the referee’s room to have a chat with him.
    “But after half an hour he hadn’t come out. I don’t know if he knew I was there or not.
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    “I didn’t want to batter him. I just wanted to have a conversation about it.
    “In the end, I’m going home without saying my piece.
    “I’m just disappointed, more so because I’m working to get myself back into a position where I can help — but now I’ve got to miss a game.”
    England international Phillips has, so far, endured a terrible loan spell at the London Stadium.
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    David Moyes has leapt to the defence of the under-performing Kalvin PhillipsCredit: Getty
    But Hammers boss David Moyes was quick to leap to his defence after his early bath at the City Ground.
    The Scot said: “The sending-off was a huge blow because the game was tight and we were always in it at 1-0.
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    “The minute we went down to ten men it was going to make it twice as hard.
    “I thought Kalvin played much better today, he did a lot of good things.
    “I hadn’t seen it coming. The crowd played a huge part in backing Nottingham Forest, with the referee, and played a part as they always do here.
    “The first one the boy’s blocking him and he pushes him away because he’s trying to play the game quick, as we’re trying to get back in the game and win it.
    “Nowadays you get booked for standing in front of the ball, so he shouldn’t have pushed him, I get that.
    “The second one – I’ve only been told – I haven’t seen it.
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    “But they are saying the two boots are very close and they just come together.
    “It looks like there was quite a meal made of it but that’s the way it is.”
    David Moyes is under growing pressure at West HamCredit: Getty More