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

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      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

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

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

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      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.
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      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
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      Rebecca Welch’s rise from Sunday League ref to become the EFL’s first female referee

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      REBECCA WELCH picked up a referee’s whistle 11 years ago at 27 after being dared to do so by a friend.And now the Sunderland-based former NHS worker is set to enter the history books as the first woman to take charge of a men’s English Football League fixture. 
      Rebecca Welch will make history as the first woman to referee an EFL game when Harrogate Town play Port ValeCredit: PA
      Harrogate Town’s League Two Easter Monday clash with Port Vale will see Welch take on one of her most significant match officiating challenges yet. 
      Welch, 37, jokingly told Sky Sports: “A good game on Monday is, by 10 to five (o’clock), they’re talking about the game and not about the ref.
      “I like] the games when nobody remembers who the ref is.”
      Who is Rebecca Welch and how she did become a referee? 
      Welch, who is originally from the town of Washington, took up match officiating while still working in the health service. 
      She earned her qualifications as an official through Durham County FA
      The former NHS admin officer, who has played football since childhood, started her life as a ref in university football clashes and Sunday League games. 
      And while the college football encounters involving teams of female students was a “doddle” her experience of refereeing men’s Sunday division fixtures was less straightforward. 
      Welch, 37, began her life as a referee in university matches and Sunday League clashesCredit: Prime Media

      Welch told the FA’s web site: “I played football and didn’t even think about refereeing until one of my really good friends, who is a referee, refereed us.
      “I spent the whole game telling her how to do her job!
      “Her response was, ‘If you think it’s that easy, give it a go. That’s how it happened and years later here I am.
      “The first couple (of matches) I did were women’s university games and the players weren’t really that bothered about so it was a doddle. 
      “Then the third game I did was Sunderland Sunday league football and it was a completely different kettle of fish. 
      “That took some getting used to but I am so grateful for the grassroots football experience because I never would have got to where I am now without it.
      “Sometimes I used to go home and chuck my bag down and I’d tell myself I’m never doing it again but you soon realise that not every day is going to be a good day in the office – it’s just like anything else. 
      “I had to analyse my performances and work out what I could do to improve and that’s something I really enjoy. 
      “I’ve been doing this for more than ten years now and I guarantee that the good days will far outweigh the bad ones in the long run.”
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      Welch’s match officiating performances have led to her being added to Fifa’s international list of refereesCredit: Getty
      Rise to the top 
      Welch eventually worked her way into the higher echelons of match officiating, becoming part of an elite group on Fifa’s international list. 
      The Sunderland-based administrator also made her mark on the women’s game covering domestic and international encounters. 
      In addition to refereeing the Women’s FA Cup final twice, in 2017 and 2020, Welch has officiated in the men’s National League for three seasons and taken charge of WSL, Women’s Champions League and international clashes. 
      And she has been selected to oversee Harrogate’s clash with Port Vale following an ongoing review of her performances this season and official approval from referee chiefs Mike Riley and Mike Jones.
      The Washington-based ref is reported to be among the individuals included within the Professional Game Match Officials top group of referees. 
      Welch added: “I’ve always said, through all my promotions, I want to be appointed because I am in the top 10 match officials on that list. 
      “I never want to be appointed based on anything else. I’ve got faith in the system, and I’ve been rewarded.”
      Welch took charge of Fiorentina’s Women’s Champions League clash against Slavia PragueCredit: Zuma Press
      What next for Welch 
      Welch, who took charge of the 2020 Women’s Community Shield duel which saw Chelsea beat Man City, wants to be considered for selection for the 2022 Euros and 2023 World Cup. 
      The football official, who describes Sian Massey’s efforts as a Prem assistant referee as “amazing”, hopes to one day see a woman take charge of a Premier League fixture.
      And Welch remains open-minded on the challenge falling to her or another breaking through the glass ceiling. 
      I’ve been very lucky that I turn up and they don’t see me as a female referee, they just say, ‘Rebecca’s here and she’s the ref today’ so that’s quite nice.Rebecca Welch
      And she counts herself lucky not to have encountered any abuse or sexist behaviour so far in her career.
      Welch told Sky Sports: “I’ve got no doubt, in the next ten to 15 years, we will see a female referee in the Premier League. 
      “I don’t really try to focus too much on the future, I always take one game at a time. 
      “If I finish in the top one or two per cent at the end of the season, I put myself in a position to be selected. I’ve got to keep on performing, achieving those marks, to get those rewards. 
      Welch regards Sian Massey as a trailblazer for women refereesCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
      “I’ve received criticism for my refereeing, and that’s part of football. 
      “But I’ve gone through the men’s pathway and I’ve never experienced anything like that (abuse) because I’m a female referee.
      “I’m aware that not everybody is as fortunate as me and I’m aware it does happen. 
      “We need to keep on educating people, about how it makes that person feel. 
      “I’ve been very lucky that I turn up and they don’t see me as a female referee, they just say, ‘Rebecca’s here and she’s the ref today’ so that’s quite nice.”
      Welch believes a woman taking charge of match officiating in the Premier League could happen in ten to 15 yearsCredit: Getty
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      Bizarre moment referee PEES himself on pitch in centre circle at start of match on live Brazilian TV broadcast

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      A REFEREE peed himself in the centre circle after being caught short seconds before the start of a cup match in Brazil.
      Denis da Silva Ribeiro Serafim took a leak in his pants without taking his shorts down as he was being filmed on TV ahead of kick-off.

      The referee took emergency measures into his own hands ahead of kick-off

      There was no time for the referee to wash his hands

      He did it so discreetly the commentator failed to pick up on the shocking moment as he introduced the match official and two linesmen just before the start of the Copa de Brasil clash between Boavista and Goias on Thursday.
      But eagle-eyed viewers noticed the unexpected stream running down the ref’s leg and the footage started going viral as the match was being played.
      The video showed Da Silva loosening his shorts after glancing behind his back and peeing virtually over the match ball before stepping away from the centre circle.
      A wet patch could be seen on his shorts as he apparently had run out of time to use the toilets in his changing room before heading onto the pitch.

      But the ref took matters into his own hands as he took emergency measures ahead of kick-off.
      The bizarre incident happened at the Elcyr Resende stadium in Saquarema near Rio de Janeiro. Boavista won the first leg 3-1 but everyone was talking about the unscheduled toilet stop.
      One social media user suggested: “The ref peed in his pants so he didn’t have to go to the toilet and delay the match.”
      Another joked: “That’s not pee pee. That’s holy water the referee places on the pitch to bless the match so it occurs without violence or fights.”

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      Sports reporter Edson Junior added: “The referee urinated before the match….in his pants. It must have been hard going through the first half with his pants wet.”
      Eoin Bradley was spotted relieving himself on the pitch last summer during a break in play in the Irish Cup semi-final between Coleraine and Ballymena United.
      The Coleraine forward scored a stunning free-kick and then missed a penalty but it was his action without the ball at his feet that grabbed the attention of viewers. He was later given a six-match ban.

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      Solskjaer slams ‘cheeky’ post on Chelsea website as Man Utd boss says Blues ‘influence referees’ after penalty drama

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says a ‘cheeky’ post on Chelsea’s website may have influenced referees as Manchester United did not receive a penalty in their goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
      The United boss was referring to an article on Chelsea’s official site that referenced a controversial decision in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

      The ball clearly flicked Hudson-Odoi’s hand in the penalty areaCredit: Getty – Pool

      Solskjaer was not impressed with Attwell’s decisionCredit: PA:Press Association

      🗣 “It’s all these outside influences, it’s cheeky when they put that on their website, that’s influencing the referees. You can read it.” 😡Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vents his frustrations about the penalty that wasn’t given pic.twitter.com/7YK22ja6Oo
      — Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 28, 2021

      Speaking to Sky Sports about the decision, Solskjaer said: “It’s all these outside influences.
      “Even the VAR talk before the game on Harry [Maguire]. It’s cheeky when they put that on their website.
      “That’s influencing the referees.”
      When reporter Geoff Shreeves asked Solskjaer what he was referring to, he said: “You can go back and look on their website.”

      Attwell decided not to award a penalty after the ball flicked Callum Hudson-Odoi’s hand in Chelsea’s box.
      The referee went to the pitch-side monitor to watch a replay of the incident.
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      Solskjaer was seen pleading with the linesman but it made little difference as the game finished 0-0.

      His comments came just minutes after Luke Shaw claimed Attwell told Harry Maguire people would ‘talk afterwards’ if he gave a penalty.
      Shaw told Sky Sports: “At the time I saw a handball but I wasn’t sure whether it was Mason [Greenwood] or Callum.
      “I don’t know why they checked for a pen, if it’s not going to be a pen I don’t think they needed to stop.
      “I even heard the ref say to H (Maguire) ‘if I say it’s going to be a pen, it’s going to cause a lot of talk afterwards’. I don’t know what happened there.”

      United later insisted that Shaw misheard what was said between Atwell and Maguire.
      The article on Chelsea’s website, which was published two days ago, criticised referring decisions from previous meetings between the sides.
      It read: “In recent Chelsea meetings the Red Devils’ centre-back [Maguire] has survived VAR reviews of a potential penalty foul on Cesar Azpilicueta and violent challenge on Michy Batshuayi that may well have affected the outcome.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Cristiano Ronaldo stunned by goal-line technology and asks ref to check watch as Juventus beat Roma 2-0 on his birthday

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      JUVENTUS ace Cristiano Ronaldo was left bemused after his shot was judged not to have crossed the line.
      The Portugal captain, who had already scored against Roma, jokingly checked the referee’s watch to make sure it hadn’t gone in.

      Ronaldo, 36, couldn’t believe his shot didn’t cross the line and checked the decision with referee Daniele Orsato

      The Portuguese star had a good look at the ref’s watch

      Orsato, 45, clearly saw the funny side of Ronaldo’s request

      Ronaldo’s effort just before half-time rattled the crossbar and bounced on the line before Roma cleared the danger.
      The birthday boy couldn’t believe his luck and asked the referee if he could check his watch, which alerts the official when the ball goes over the line.
      Referee Daniele Orsato gleefully showed Ronaldo his watch and turned away smiling, suggesting it was all just a bit of fun.
      Replays showed the ball was a yard or two away from crossing the line.

      Ronaldo opened the scoring at the Allianz Stadium in the 13th minute with a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
      It was his 16th league goal of the season and the perfect way to celebrate his 36th birthday.
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      Ronaldo, 36, was delighted to score on his birthday – but wanted moreCredit: Splash News

      Ronaldo and Messi are both named in the Ballon d’Or all-time best XI
      Although Ronaldo didn’t get a second, Juventus did when a Dejan Kulusevski cross was turned into his own net by Roger Ibanez.

      The match finished 2-0 and Andrea Pirlo’s side have moved up to third in Serie A.
      They have won their last three league games and sit five points behind Inter Milan with a game in hand.

      Ronaldo is the top scorer in Serie A, two ahead of former Manchester United star Romelu Lukaku.
      He is yet to win the Capocannoniere, the title awarded to Serie A’s leading scorer each season, since joining Juventus in 2018.
      Ronaldo has won similar awards in England and Spain and will be keen to add the Capocannoniere to his long list of honours.
      The legendary forward celebrated his birthday with his family before the Roma match – enjoying a Portuguese-themed cake.

      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s son wildly celebrate as dad scores in Juventus’ Coppa Italia win over Inter Milan More

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      Ronaldo can’t believe goal-line technology and asks referee to check his watch as Juventus beat Roma 2-0 on his birthday

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      JUVENTUS star Cristiano Ronaldo was left bemused after his shot was judged not to have crossed the line.
      The Portugal captain, who had already scored against Roma, jokingly checked the referee’s watch to make sure it hadn’t gone in.

      Ronaldo, 36, couldn’t believe his shot didn’t cross the line and checked the decision with referee Daniele Orsato

      The Portuguese star had a good look at the ref’s watch

      Orsato, 45, clearly saw the funny side of Ronaldo’s request

      Ronaldo’s effort just before half-time rattled the crossbar and bounced on the line before Roma cleared the danger.
      The birthday boy couldn’t believe his luck and asked the referee if he could check his watch, which alerts the official when the ball goes over the line.
      Referee Daniele Orsato gleefully showed Ronaldo his watch and turned away smiling, suggesting it was all just a bit of fun.
      Replays showed the ball was a yard or two away from crossing the line.

      Ronaldo opened the scoring at the Allianz Stadium in the 13th minute with a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
      It was his 16th league goal of the season and the perfect way to celebrate his 36th birthday.
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      Ronaldo, 36, was delighted to score on his birthday – but wanted moreCredit: Splash News

      Ronaldo and Messi are both named in the Ballon d’Or all-time best XI
      Although Ronaldo didn’t get a second, Juventus did when a Dejan Kulusevski cross was turned into his own net by Roger Ibanez.

      The match finished 2-0 and Andrea Pirlo’s side have moved up to third in Serie A.
      They have won their last three league games and sit five points behind Inter Milan with a game in hand.

      Ronaldo is the top scorer in Serie A, two ahead of former Manchester United star Romelu Lukaku.
      He is yet to win the Capocannoniere, the title awarded to Serie A’s leading scorer each season, since joining Juventus in 2018.
      Ronaldo has won similar awards in England and Spain and will be keen to add the Capocannoniere to his long list of honours.
      The legendary forward celebrated his birthday with his family before the Roma match – enjoying a Portuguese-themed cake.

      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s son wildly celebrate as dad scores in Juventus’ Coppa Italia win over Inter Milan More