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

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      HENCH referee Anderson Daronco 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 circulated online last season of Daronco, 41, 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.”
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      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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      In August 2020, 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.
      The South American is a commanding man in the middleCredit: Getty
      Fans joked that they would not dare to mess with Daronco due to his bulging bicepsCredit: Getty
      Agbonlahor brands Mike Dean ‘the most arrogant fool you will ever see’ and claims referee tells players to ‘get lost’ More

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      in Soccer

      Watch furious Arsenal star Ben White slap official’s hand after controversial defeat to Man City

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      FURIOUS Arsenal star Ben White let his frustration out by slapping an official’s hand after defeat to Manchester City.The Gunners were undone in cruel fashion against the Premier League champions with a number of key decisions going against them.
      Ben White slapped assistant referee Neil Davies’ hand at the Emirates
      He then stormed off back to the dressing room
      White was furious with a number of decisions that went against ArsenalCredit: Getty

      After taking a first-half lead, Granit Xhaka was penalised for a tug on Bernardo Silva in the box – while Gabriel was booked twice within three minutes either side of Riyad Mahrez’s equaliser.
      Then to top it off, Rodri scored a dramatic winner in the third minute of injury time.
      And defender White clearly felt aggrieved as he shook hands with the referees at full-time.
      A video taken from the stands posted on social media showed him give a frosty reception to assistant Simon Long and referee Stuart Attwell before taking a needless swipe at Neil Davies’ outstretched hand.
      White, 24, then stormed off in a huff back to the dressing room.
      And opinions were split among fans on social media – some pleased with the passion showed but others disappointed with his lack of professionalism.
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      One said: “I love that boy White. Just the mentality I need from a player.”
      Another added: “Future captain.”
      But a third wrote: “As much as I love to see this, it’s also very wrong from him – imagine if it was Guendouzi.”
      And a final user commented: “Deserves a serious ban for this.”
      Arsenal were also angered because Attwell was not told to check the monitor when Ederson challenged Martin Odegaard in the area – despite footage appearing to show the City goalkeeper NOT touch the ball.
      Ironically, Davies was not even at the Emirates when that happened after arriving late as a last-minute replacement for Constantine Hatzidakis which saw fourth official Kevin Friend run the line for the first half.
      Later on, Attwell was accused of blocking Gabriel Martinelli from taking a shot after getting in the Brazilian’s way.
      Gunners shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale blasted the ‘inconsistency’ from the officials, including VAR Jarred Gillet.
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      He said: “I am basing it on both penalties – the inconsistency of going to the screen.
      “The referee might have ruled it out straight away when he looked at it. But it is the fact he went to look at it.
      “Both in real time he said no penalty, but only gets told to look at one. 
      “Theirs was soft for me but he gets told to look and has given it.
      “The goalkeeper comes out with his foot and he either catches him or the ball.”
      Former Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas could not believe Silva got the spot-kick.
      He tweeted: “That’s never a pen. Terrible decision.”
      Mikel Arteta’s assistant ‘AirPods Albert’ Stuivenberg – in charge on Saturday with the manager isolating – said: “You had the first moment with Odegaard in the first half which I think is a clear penalty, but at least a moment for the referee to check, and then it happened in the second half for their penalty which is not really consistent.”
      Stuart Attwell felt the full wrath of the Arsenal players on SaturdayCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Mafia bosses offering top UEFA referees £25k bungs online in bid to fix footie matches

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      MAFIA bosses are targeting top UEFA referees with cyber-crime hits to try to fix footy matches.Officials are offered up to £25,000 to swing matches, according to a leaked memo seen by The Sun.
      Mafia bosses are targeting top UEFA referees with cyber-crime hits to try to fix footie matchesCredit: Reuters
      Criminals are using the phishing techniques fine-tuned during the pandemic to tempt refs to throw European clashes.
      The memo, which was sent to the FA and other governing bodies, warns: “The corrupters made use of cyber-crime tactics not previously seen in reported corrupter messages, possibly pointing to a bleed-over in tactics from more sophisticated groups or even the potential for collaboration with such groups.”
      It talks of “incidents in which a suspected match-fixer attempted to recruit referees to manipulate matches via social media”.
      It reads: “This evolution may have been accelerated by the Covid lockdown, during which cyber criminals both diversified and intensified their criminal activities, according to Europol.”
      The memo adds: “We assess corrupters will likely continue to attempt contact with players, referees and other officials via social media and the use of more sophisticated messages, including personalised content and manipulation techniques.”
      The messages are understood to have originated from Asian crime gangs and were sent in English — but it’s not thought British refs were targeted.
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      Jude Bellingham slapped with £34k fine over match-fixing comments about referee after Dortmund defeat to Bayern More

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      Football referees using online tracker to make sure they get home safely after being abused at matches

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      FOOTBALL refs are using an online tracker to make sure they get home safely after being abused at matches.They are downloading an app first developed for lone women, in a bid to avoid clashes with players and fans after the game.
      Former Premier League referee Graham Barber designed the app to help younger officialsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      It was designed by ex-Premier League referee Graham Barber, 63, who already has dozens of young refs on board and is in talks with county football associations to roll it out for officials nationally.
      Last week it was revealed officials as young as 14 are being verbally abused by pushy parents who think their child is “the next Cristiano Ronaldo”.
      Paul Field, of the Referees’ Association, said the problem also stems from new coaches “who think they are a mini-José Mourinho and can say whatever they like”.
      Mr Barber reckons he has found the solution thanks to the Help Me Angela tracker app.
      Graham, who officiated the 2003 FA Cup Final when Arsenal beat Southampton, said: “This allows them to have a guardian angel on call and to have their journeys followed to and from the match.
      “This is for everyone, but we’re extending it to referees now.”
      Angry Klopp rows with reporter over referee decisions in Liverpool’s defeat to West Ham More

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      New Premier League VAR rules for 2021-22 season revealed with thicker lines on offside and radical handball changes

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      THE Premier League returns this Friday as Arsenal travel to new-boys Brentford.And therefore it surely won’t be long before VAR is the hot topic on everyone’s lips again.
      The Premier League is heading into its third season with VAR in placeCredit: Getty
      The new rules behind how the technology will be implemented have been confirmedCredit: BT Sport

      The technology came in for its fair share of stick last season with the infamous ‘armpit offsides’ ruling out goals, harsh handballs punished and penalties galore.
      So SunSport rounds up what is changing, what is staying the same and what the experts are saying ahead of the third Premier League campaign with VAR…
      THICKER LINES
      The big one is the lines used to determine offsides will be thicker – moving from the 1mm ones that were too thin for the tech available to the ones seen on TV which are reportedly 5cm wide.
      This worked well at the Euros and essentially should help remove the ridiculous calls that were literally by fractions of an inch offside, therefore giving the benefit back to the attackers.
      Thicker lines will be used to determine the tight offside calls – rather than the 1mm ones used beforeCredit: Sky Sports
      PGMOL boss Mike Riley told the Premier League website: “Effectively what we have done is given back 20 goals to the game that were deemed offside last season by using quite forensic scrutiny.
      “So it’s the toenails, the noses of players that were offside – they won’t be offside now.”
      GET OFF SCREEN
      In previous seasons, fans watching on at home on the TV could see the lines being ‘drawn’ on the pitch as the VAR at Stockley Park reached their decision.
      This often led to screenshots getting shared on social media, often inaccurately, and further criticism.
      From now on, though, TV viewers won’t see that and will just be given the final decision.
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      ARMPIT AMBIGUITY
      Fifa have clarified where offsides will be measured from.
      And it is the bottom of the armpit. Right…
      CALL FOR HANDBALL
      One of the other major shifts is in regards to handballs.
      The Premier League say accidental handballs in the build-up to goals will no longer be punished – but are offences if they directly create the chance that scores or scores the goal itself.
      Refs get to make the call on whether a defender has made himself ‘unnaturally bigger’Credit: Sky Sports
      There is also a change to the wording around making the body ‘unnaturally bigger’.
      In its simplest form, there is no specific shape that would be classed as ‘unnatural’.
      This gives the referee greater scope to make a call based on the actual movemnet of the player and his body’s momentum.
      PENALTY PULL BACK
      A record 125 penalties were given in 2020-21 Premier League season but the adjustments to referee directives means that is likely to drop this term.
      It is not just about whether there is clear contact for a foul to be awarded, but whether the referee deems that contact to be enough to impede the attacker.
      Referees will have more of a say whether or not the contact in the box was enough for a penaltyCredit: AFP
      Riley said: “It’s not sufficient to just say there was contact. Contact on its own is only one element the referee should look for.
      “If you have clear contact that has a consequence, it’s a foul – but if you have any doubts in these elements, they are unlikely to be penalised.
      “You also want it to be a proper foul and not the slightest contact that someone has used to go over to get a penalty.”
      EARLY FLAG CATCHES FORWARD
      There is a bit more leniency for assistant referees with clear offsides.
      Rather than waiting for the passage of play to be over before eventually raising their flags, they can put it up earlier if there is no immediate goalscoring opportunity.
      This will no doubt be popular with the players, managers, fans, referees – well, just about everyone really.
      KANE CANED
      Harry Kane often gets criticism for backing into a jumping defender to win a free-kick or penalty – often knocking the airborne opponent off balance.
      This will now be recognised as dangerous play so the player doing the backing or nudging will be penalised.
      Harry Kane has forged a reputation for winning fouls by backing into jumping defendersCredit: AFP
      Riley added: “Again, it’s that interaction between the centre-forward and centre-half.
      “If either player is using their centre of gravity to knock somebody off theirs, that’s dangerous. And that free-kick should be the other way around.”
      SUBS STANDARDS
      Top-flight managers will again be able to name up to nine substitutes.
      However, they can only make three changes to their team mid-match.
      Two concussion replacements are also available.
      In the EFL, it is back down to seven named subs on the benches.
      QUALIFIED QUARTET
      Lastly, four new referees have been promoted to the Select Group 1 of officials who can take charge of Premier League matches.

      Australian Jarred Gillett becomes the first overseas ref added into the top squad.
      He is joined by Michael Salisbury, Tony Harrington and John Brooks in getting the call-up from the EFL.
      Lee Mason becomes the first dedicated VAR and will no longer be officiating on the pitch after 15 years in the top flight.
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      Jarred Gillett from Australia is one of four new faces added to the Select Group 1 of refereesCredit: PA
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      Watch bizarre moment referee Keith Stroud blows KISS to match ball at Fulham against Middlesbrough leaving fans confused

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      REFEREE Keith Stroud is clearly as delighted as anyone to see the new season – and bizarrely blew a KISS to the match ball ahead of his game on Sunday.The whistler took charge of Fulham’s 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough.
      Keith Stroud blew a kiss to the match ball ahead of Fulham vs MiddlesbroughCredit: Sky Sports
      The referee certainly kicked off the new Championship season in styleCredit: Sky Sports
      He completed the move with a swift throw and catch of the ball at Craven CottageCredit: Sky Sports

      And as he led the teams out of the tunnel, he performed the hilarious gesture before picking the Championship ball off the plinth at Craven Cottage.
      To top it off, Stroud did the classic collection – throwing it up and catching it with both hands.
      Even his assistants looked a bit confused by the antics – and unsurprisingly, fans on Twitter were also baffled.
      One wrote: “You just know he was practising it last night in the bathroom mirror.”
      Another said: “The strut, the kiss, the ball collection. Football referees are back.”
      A third simply added: “The Keith Stroud Show.”
      And a final user commented: “Keith Stroud is back, baby.”
      It is not the first time the 51-year-old from Hampshire has been spotted demonstrating his love of the beautiful game.
      In August 2019, Stroud kissed the ball as he walked out for Salford City’s Carabao Cup clash with Leeds.
      ‘MINI MIKE DEAN’
      And last September he was at it again ahead of Watford vs Middlesbrough.
      At least this time he was more Covid-safe by blowing the kiss rather than giving the ball a big smack with his lips.
      Many compared the move to the original celebrity ref, Mike Dean, who has forged a reputation for his eccentric style on the pitch.
      The Football Ramble said: “You thought Mike Dean was a showman, but bet he’s never blown a kiss to the match ball like Keith Stroud did today has he.”
      Paul typed: “Dean-esque showboating for the cameras. Makes me cringe.”
      Karl added: “Mini Mike Dean.”
      And James joked: “Oooooft he’s set the bar high on day 1 of the season. Can’t wait for Dean’s response.”
      With the Premier League not underway until Friday, Dean had the weekend off – and made the most of it by heading to Prenton Park to watch his beloved Tranmere take on Walsall.
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      But on the hour mark, when one of the assistants went down injured, Dean raced to the rescue by stepping in as fourth official.
      Dean could have a rival in the top flight this season, though, with fellow referee Kevin Friend showing early signs of form in pre-season.
      The Leicestershire-based official hilariously booked the crowd during Bristol City’s friendly against Aston Villa after the travelling fans chanted ‘You’re just a s*** Mike Dean’ at him.
      It is not the first time he has demonstrated his affection when leading the teams outCredit: Rex
      As well as a 2019 Carabao Cup clash, Stroud did it again at Vicarage Road last seasonCredit: Sky Sports
      Ref Kevin Friend gives crowd yellow card after they chant ‘you’re just a s*** Mike Dean’ More

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

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      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

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

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      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.

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      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!

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      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.

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      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