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      Blundering ref who stepped down after huge VAR error re-hired by bosses… to TRAIN referees

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      PREMIER LEAGUE blunder referee Lee Mason has been re-hired by PGMOL to train referees. Mason stepped down from his position as a Video Assistant Referee after a spectacular error during Arsenal’s clash with Brentford in February.
      Lee Mason has been re-hired by PGMOLCredit: Getty
      It comes after a huge VAR error during Arsenal’s clash with BrentfordCredit: AFP

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      The 51-year-old came under fire after failing to spot an offside in the build-up to Brentford’s equaliser against the then title-chasing Gunners.
      Mason supposedly forgot to draw the lines to see whether Christian Norgaard was offside as Ivan Toney bagged a 74th-minute equaliser.
      He was not picked for VAR duty the following weekend before it was confirmed he had “departed the organisation by mutual consent”.
      However, PGMOL have now turned to Mason to train other referees.
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      The Daily Mail report Mason will work with officials in the Prem, EFL and Women’s Super League, with a particular focus on League One and League Two.
      They add Mason will not work on VAR.
      Former Prem ref Keith Hackett was critical of the move, saying: “The guy who did not set the world alight in the middle but was a survivor and an abject failure in the VAR role will be advising and passing on his skill sets to others.”
      Suffice to say, the move has not gone down very well with fans either.
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      Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “You cannot make it up. This is a man who forgot to draw offside lines during the #Arsenal vs Brentford game. Shambles.”
      A second said: “What nonsense!”
      “Lmao this is psychotic, Lee Mason was actively bad at his job and now he’s training the next batch of refs 😂,” remarked a third.
      A fourth typed: “God help us all.”
      While a fifth added: “Shameless.”
      Mason retired from his on-field ref duties at the end of the 2020/21 season after 15 years on the job. More

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      Card-crazy World Cup ref Antonio Mateu Lahoz lands shock career change as fans joke ‘he was built for this’

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      EX-REFEREE Antonio Mateu Lahoz has shocked football fans after landing a surprise new job. Lahoz, 46, drew heavy criticism for his performance in the World Cup quarter-final clash between Argentina and Holland.
      Antonio Mateu Lahoz has landed a new roleCredit: Getty
      Lahoz drew criticism after his performance in the World Cup quarter-finalCredit: Reuters
      He dished out a record 17 cardsCredit: Getty

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      Lionel Messi led the criticism after a record 17 bookings were handed out, including Denzel Dumfries being sent off following Argentina’s penalty shoot-out victory.
      Card-crazy Lahoz was subsequently sent home from Qatar.
      But he was immediately thrust back into the limelight when he dished out ANOTHER 15 cards during a game between Barcelona and Espanyol.
      Lahoz ultimately penned his retirement from the beautiful game at the end of last season, breaking down in tears after officiating his final match.
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      However, the Spaniard’s involvement in football is far from over.
      It comes after he landed a role on Spanish broadcaster Movistar.
      His role will see him become a refereeing commentator on the channel’s Champions League coverage alongside Carlos Martínez and Álvaro Benito.
      Depending on scheduling, he may even appear on Monday programme “The day after.”
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      Reacting to the news, one fan said: “He was built for this.”
      A second wrote: “Just what everyone wanted, the main man himself.”
      “Box Office,” declared a third.
      A fourth joked: “Mateu Lahoz is now in his final form.”
      Lahoz is said to have turned down roles with Cope and an offer to head the Saudi Pro League’s referees.
      He had been an active ref since 1999. More

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      Watch Lucy Bronze SNUB handshake with referee after England star was victim of controversial decisions in win over China

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      LUCY BRONZE snubbed a handshake with the referee after England’s stunning World Cup win over China.The Lionesses star was the victim of several controversial decision during the 6-1 thrashing on Tuesday.
      Lucy Bronze appeared to snub the referee’s handshakeCredit: ITV FOOTBALL
      Bronze was the perplexed by some of the referee’s decisionsCredit: ITV FOOTBALL
      Sarina Wiegman’s side secured their place in the round of 16 as group winners with the victory.
      However, defender Bronze was not impressed with referee Casey Reibelt at full-time and was caught on camera snubbing a handshake with the official.
      As players from both teams shook hands with each other and the officials, Bronze could be seen walking past Reibelt despite having just shaken the hand of her assistant.
      Fans were quick to spot the snub, with one tweeting: “Lucy Bronze not shaking the ref’s hand, class.”
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      Bronze had seen two key decisions go against her during the match.
      Firstly, she was ruled as being offside in the build-up for a disallowed England goal shortly before half-time.
      Lauren James thought she had put the Lionesses 4-0 up in first half stoppage time before a VAR review deemed Bronze offside.
      After the interval, the Barcelona star was on the receiving end of a controversial decision again.
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      Bronze was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area and was booked for her infringement.
      Replays from the VAR review showed she had tried to block the ball in front of goal before it struck her arm.
      Wang Shuang stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick and reduce the deficit.
      Cameras picked up Bronze’s perplexed reaction to the decision before she later made her feeling’s known to the officials at full-time.
      SHAKE UP
      Her snub is not the first time at the tournament that a player has refused a handshake.
      Ireland’s Ruesha Littlejohn made headlines ahead of their opening match against co-hosts Australia.
      The midfielder appeared to snub a handshake with Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord, who is a club team-mate of her ex-partner Katie McCabe.
      Littlejohn and McCabe’s split after more than seven years together was confirmed on the eve of the tournament.
      Bronze’s handball resulted in a China penaltyCredit: ITV FOOTBALL
      Bronze was also booked for the incidentCredit: Reuters More

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      The FA’s NINE rule changes in clampdown on players, managers and fans that could see bookings and stadium bans soar

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      PLAYERS, managers AND fans have all been targeted in a major disciplinary clampdown for the new season.The new measures, agreed by the FA, Prem, EFL and refs’ chiefs, will see officials better able to punish “unacceptable conduct on the pitch, on the side-lines and in the stands”.
      Aleksandar Mitrovic received an eight-game ban after his red card at Old TraffordCredit: AFP
      Players are being reminded over their conductCredit: Getty
      Managers are also being urged to behave responsiblyCredit: AFP
      Wembley bosses have been working on the updated proposals since mid-way through last season as on field and touchline anarchy exploded.
      And the hardline measures, to come into effect from the start of the season, are aimed at ensuring referees are no longer pursued and intimidated by players and benches.
      Under the new regulations, all club technical staff, including managers and assistants, must sign up to a “code of conduct” – which has been approved by the League Managers Association.
      That will mandate them to attend pre-match briefings with the match officials, behave in a “responsible manner”, stay within the technical area at all times and not use tablets or or electronic devices to try to show refs that have made errors.
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      In addition, any boss entering the pitch to confront an official at either half-time OR full-time will be in direct breach of the code and face punishment.
      Breaches will bring heavier fines and other punishments including potential bans.
      The crackdown for players, drawn up with the help of the PFA, will put the onus on team captains to “take responsibility for the behaviour of their team-mates”.
      Crucially, players have been explicitly warned they “must not confront, invade the personal space of, or make physical contact with the match officials”.
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      Yellow cards is the minimum punishment and WILL follow if “two or more players surround a match official in a confrontational manner”.
      And players will be punished if they are adjudged to have “instigated or escalated a mass confrontation with opposing players and/or technical area occupants”.
      In addition, and in response to so-called “tragedy chanting” by some fans, the game’s rulers promised “tough new measures” resulting in “stadium bans and potential criminal prosecution”.
      Police and stewards will be expected to identify those guilty of “offensive chanting, gesturing and displaying offensive messages based on football-related tragedies”.

      In a statement the governing body and leagues said: “The game will also continue its efforts to combat dangerous, illegal and unwelcome behaviour off the pitch, be it in the stands or online. 
      “Last season a host of new measures were introduced by authorities which saw enhanced sanctions applied for people identified entering the pitch, using pyros, taking drugs to games, throwing objects or for discriminatory abuse.”
      Explaining the new stance, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “Football has the unique power to unite, inspire and improve the lives of all those that play and watch the game at any level. 
      “However, in recent years we have seen how this can be negatively impacted by a small minority of players, coaches and fans.
      “This season, English football is coming together with a commitment to address this unacceptable behaviour within our game, on the pitch and on the side-lines. 
      “We understand that it will take time to adapt to these new measures – but we are confident that they will have a positive impact at all levels.
      “We are also determined to address the rise in unacceptable behaviour from the stands. Incidents such as dangerous conduct, discrimination, and chanting about football-related tragedies have no place in our game – and can lead to football bans and potential criminal action. 
      “Passion, emotion and excitement are fundamental to football, however this must be shown in the right way. 
      “Everyone can play their part, so that together we can create a safe and enjoyable environment for all.”
      Prem counterpart Richard Masters added: “We want players, managers and fans to continue showing their passion, but these new measures have been introduced to ensure that the line is not crossed when it comes to on-field and technical area behaviour.
      “We also strongly believe there is no room for abhorrent tragedy abuse in football. 
      “Along with our clubs and the authorities, we are committed to sanctioning those found guilty and will also focus on educating fans of all ages so they understand why this abuse is so hurtful and unacceptable.”
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      The new measures for the professional game will be allied to a clampdown at grass roots level as well, including the introduction of point deductions for teams whose players or coaches commit repeated offences of serious misconduct.
      Additionally, the trial of bodycams for referees will continue into the 2023/24 season.
      The new measures could lead to more bansCredit: Reuters
      Fans are also being reminded not to chant abhorrent songsCredit: AFP More

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      Who is Premier League referee Paul Tierney and what’s his net worth?

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      BEING a referee is one of the trickiest jobs in sport but Paul Tierney has been successful in the role for decades.The ref is one of the best known in the UK and is used to having all eyes on him as he oversees football games.
      Paul Tierney is a referee in the Premier LeagueCredit: Michael Regan/Getty Images
      Who is Premier League referee Paul Tierney?
      Paul Tierney is a football referee from Wigan, Greater Manchester.
      He was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1980, in Belfast and moved to Wigan when he was 11.
      He was promoted to the National List of Referees in 2009, and was an assistant referee for the 2009 FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and  Chelsea.
      Tierney first refereed in the Premier League in August 2014, and became part of the Select Group for the 2016/17 season.
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      Select Group refs predominantly officiate in the Premier League.
      He officiated the 2023 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United.
      Ahead of the match, Tierney denied he is a supporter of either team, telling The FA: “It’s a great fixture to be refereeing too…there is the common assumption that because I’m from Wigan I must support one of them.
      “I was actually born in Belfast and only moved to Wigan when I was eleven and it’s actually going to be the first time that I’ve refereed a Manchester derby so I’m looking forward to it.”
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      In May 2023, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was hit with a one game ban, with a further game suspended until the end of the next season, for slamming Tierney.
      Klopp, who accused the official of having an agenda against his side, was also fined £75,000.
      What is Paul Tierney’s net worth?
      Tierney’s net worth is unknown although peopleai.com estimates it to be around £853,000.
      Referees in the Premier League’s receive much smaller pay packets than the players.
      According to Sporting Free, Premier League refs take home up to around £70-£200k per year.
      They also earn a match fee in addition to their basic salary.
      This fee is thought to be £1,500 for official referees and £850 for assistant referees and video assistant refs.
      Is Paul Tierney married and does he have any children?
      Paul is married to the mother of former rugby league player Lewis Tierney.
      Lewis’ father, Jason Robinson, and his mum split up not long after he was born.
      His mother then remarried Paul and Lewis appears to be close with his step-dad.
      It is not publicly known whether Paul and his wife share any children together.
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      Lewis, meanwhile, announced his retirement from rugby in November 2021.
      He started his professional career with the Wigan Warriors and went on to represent Workington Towns, Catalan Dragons and Leigh Centurions. More

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      Chaos at Women’s World Cup as nervous referee announces VAR decision before saying ‘no, wait!’

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      THE Women’s World Cup was plunged into momentary chaos after a referee announced the wrong decision after a VAR review.Spain had put in a good showing as they beat Zambia 5-0 at Eden Park in New Zealand.
      Referee Oh-Hyeon Jeong caused confusion during Spain’s win over ZambiaCredit: Getty
      Hyeon-Jeong initially did not give Jennifer Hermoso’s goalCredit: BBC
      Hermoso looked confused as the announcement was madeCredit: BBC
      But the official then quickly corrected her callCredit: BBC
      And Hemroso was thrilled when she realised that a goal had eventually been givenCredit: BBC
      However, the most intriguing moment came from referee Oh-Hyeon Jeong while there was a VAR check on Jennifer Hermoso’s goal in 70th minute.
      Hermoso had already netted earlier in the game but her second was initially ruled out as Olga Carmona was flagged offside in the build-up to the goal.
      After the lengthy check, it seemed that the Spaniard would be allowed the goal until Oh-Hyeon Jeong appeared to stick with her original decision.
      The official announced that the decision was “no goal!”, which was then met with boos from the crowd.
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      This then saw the referee backtrack and say: “No, wait… no offside – Goal!”
      But for a second the Spanish team were left confused due to the dodgy announcement before realising that the goal had been given.

      The players then wheeled off to celebrate their fourth goal of the game.
      It was not the last action of the match as Alba Redondo then netted her second of the game in the 85th minute.
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      During the Women’s World Cup history was made as referees are announcing VAR decisions to the spectators in the stadium through a microphone.
      It is the first time that this has been done at a senior international tournament.
      The trial by Fifa was also done at the Men’s Club World Cup and Men’s U20 World Cup earlier in the year.
      If the trial is deemed a success it could then arrive in major European competitions like the Premier League. More

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      I’m a former Premier League referee – I was once left covered in p*** in a portaloo but couldn’t have been happier

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      FORMER Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg was once left covered in urine after being tipped over in a portaloo.The official, who took charge of the FA Cup, Champions League and Euros finals in 2016, is a passionate Newcastle fan.
      Mark Clattenburg was covered in urine at a Newcastle matchCredit: PA:Press Association
      He began working his way up the football pyramid and in 1993 he was a teenage assistant referee.
      And one trip to St James’ Park that year ended in disaster.
      Newcastle’s stadium was being renovated and portaloos were installed while toilets remained out of order.
      Clattenburg nipped to the loo during a game and was left to regret his decision, even missing the Toon score via Rob Lee.
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      He said in his autobiography Whistler Blower: “I need a p***. I’m gonna have to go.
      “I squeeze through the mass of black and white shirts and take the steps three at the time down the back of the Gallowgate End.
      “There’s a queue for the portable toilet. I’m finally in. Ah, the relief.
      “The crowd are getting louder. Newcastle must be back on the attack. There’s the roar, they’ve scored. Get in.
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      “But wait a second, what the f***? I’m upside down. Someone has tipped the toilet over and there’s no toilet seat.
      “I’m drenched and I stink. I would have been better off p***ing myself on the terrace.
      “I shove open the door and crawl out. Everyone is bent over laughing. My mates think it’s hilarious. But you know what? I couldn’t be happier.
      “I was lying on my side with the contents of this toilet coming towards me. Happy times.”
      Clattenburg left the Premier League in 2017 and went on to work in Saudi Arabia, China and Egypt. More

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      Women’s World Cup makes history with huge VAR change but Alex Scott says ‘it’s like being in the Hunger Games’

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      THE Women’s World Cup made history with a VAR decision announced by the referee to the stadium for the first time.But Alex Scott joked it was like something out of the Hunger Games.
      Referee Yoshimi Yamashita confirmed her VAR decision to the whole stadiumCredit: Getty
      The Japanese official checked the monitorCredit: AFP

      Fifa made the decision for the tournament in New Zealand and Australia to allow referees to announce the calls.
      And in the very first match of the tournament, Yoshimi Yamashita had the chance to make the most of the new protocols.
      With just three minutes to go before full-time, Caroline Graham Hansen appeared to handle the ball although initially play carried on.
      But Yamashita was advised to take a look at a replay on the pitch-side monitor before deciding a penalty was the correct decision.
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      And when the Japanese official had made up her mind, she announced through her microphone at the Eden Park stadium PA system: “After an on-field review, the decision is: penalty.”
      The announcement was met by delighted cheers from the New Zealand players and the hosts’ home crowd – although Ria Percival hit the bar before the Football Ferns held on for a shock 1-0 win over 1995 champions Norway.

      But Alex Scott in the BBC studio could not help but compare the ref’s booming voice to the Hunger Games.
      The former Arsenal and England defender said: “I couldn’t help but laugh.
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      “I felt like I was in the Hunger Games.”
      Others were delighted by the progression to keep fans in the loop – but many felt more still needs to be done.
      One said: “Great step in the right direction. Let’s people know what is going on. VAR in the men’s game is far too “cloak and dagger” with fans in the stadium and watching on TV having no clue how decisions are made.”
      Another added: “Good step in the right direction but we need to hear the conversation between room and ref.”
      A third wrote: “We don’t want an announcement, we want to hear the discussions with the VAR officials.”
      And a final user wrote: “I was expecting to hear the referee’s reasoning behind the decision, as we do in cricket, rugby, NFL etc. This is absolutely laughable.”
      Ria Percival crashed her effort against the crossbarCredit: Getty More