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If you're not used to neutral ARs the hardest part can be remembering that they're there and to look to them for things you would not look for from club ARs. Good luck!

I totally agree with JamesL - frequency and intensity of games at this time of year can be demanding. We all have other interests and commitments so the combination of midweek and weekend games is demanding in terms of time and physical and mental effort. Don't be surprised if you're raring to...

As you go on to explain, these aren't actually "identical" fouls. Circumstances, field position, previous infringements etc all come into play.

I've only ever had one personal hearing and thankfully my experience was reasonably positive. However, they can be a daunting experience for a referee. Normally you are permitted to bring someone with you and your RA should support you on this if requested.

A local 4G facility was expecting referees to police footwear not only of players and coaches but also of any spectators in attendance. Our RA got involved and made it clear this was no a refereeing matter.

I have to admit a certain sense of satisfaction when ignoring 'can't shout leave it' claims. Almost always it's clear who shouted, to whom they shouted and what they meant. In 20 years I've only had one incident where it was done to distract an opponent.

I'd support any referee who opted for abandonment in these circumstances.

Yes, probably correct - my likelihood of a cup final has diminished post COVID.

Shirt and tie for any final!

I have to disagree with that approach. Unless there are exceptional circumstances we, as referees, should not be refusing allocated fixtures. At the time clubs should not be able to refuse the allocated referee.

I'm slightly surprised that there hasn't been more of this, at least at grass roots level. When VAR was introduced I thought there might be a trend for amateur VAR officials to be approaching referees with phone footage. Has anyone ever experienced this?

I don't see it as unsporting, players are entitled to execute a 'clever' trick or tactic. In this case they just made a mess of it.

A number of years ago I did an U13 Sunday morning game after which I was approached and berated by an elderly lady for being 'totally biased' against her grandson's team. His team had actually won 3-1 with 2 of their 3 goals coming from penalties.

Youth matches I referee allow rolling subs up 19s. Generally it is required to record whether any of the named subs (up to 5) take the field. After that there is no particular need to record reintroductions etc. As has been said above the exception is if there is potential or KFTPM.

Since my earlier post I've seen a bit of discussion on Scottish football forums - opinions, as om here, are divided.

Fully agree, definite foul for me. Surprisingly, no mention at all of a possible foul from Dundee United coaching staff or pundits on BBC Scotland highlights programme. Also, to avoid upsetting any Tayside based forum members the thread heading really should be 'Dundee United Game Today'.

Don't, as I once did, confuse a goal kick with a free kick taken by the keeper.

I really don't see any purpose to this at all.

Didn't a Liverpool keeper (Mignolet?) get penalised for this a few years ago? If I remember correctly it was something excessive, maybe around 20 seconds.

It's probably one of those that looks worse in TV that it does out on the pitch.