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I strongly believe it is good practice to avoid refereeing any teams where you have an interest. When I started refereeing I was also coaching my son's youth team and exempted myself from any games involving the wider club. I did referee his team twice in 8 years but both times were in...

There's not a lot of summer football played in my area, at least at the level I referee at. What do you get up to during the close season? Enjoy the break? Other pastimes? Search around for any game that's going?

It's not really a refereeing matter so probably best to refer the questioner to the local association rather than risk giving incorrect advice.

I'm not really looking to make any kind of statement, I just feel that my time in refereeing might have come to it's natural end. I'll keep my options open, retain RA membership and maybe one day give it a go again but for now other interests and commitments are coming into my life.

After 18 years I'm seriously thinking of calling time too. The last three seasons have been very start/stop due to COVID and with all the disruption my enthusiasm have waned. My heart and mind haven't been in it and I know my performances haven't been at a level I'm personally happy with. At the...

As a degree of pedantry looks to be creeping into this thread I have to point out that sin bins are not routinely used at any level in Scotland.

My first red was in my very first game. In open play a cross came in from the left, keeper at the near post missed it completely and it was headed to a striker at the far post ready to nod it into an empty net. Defender in the middle of the goal area had a rush of blood to the head and tipped...

Absolutely, it's just asking for trouble.

Local to me, referee's addresses used to be on the list issued to teams every season (but discontinued now). I remember turning up at a ground and the club secretary had my fee ready worked out to the exact penny. He'd obviously checked my address and accurately calculated the mileage I was...

I thought Atwell handled it with common sense in the circumstances. He was aware of what Kepa was up to and kept him in check at every penalty. No damage done and it all worked out in the end.

From what I've heard that just about sums it up. I've spoken to a couple of referees who have done this and in 90% of games you're just keeping the score and the time. If and when it does get messy often the venue won't have the personnel or policies to deal with it and you're on your own.

For the examples described I see no reason for sanction.

PieSG

'Hatrick' implies the same individual involved - we are talking about 3 different referees here.

Agreed, while increasing numbers or 'loaning' players you need to be aware of the context of the match. In a non competitive, friendly it's usually reasonable to do so but in a competitive fixture probably best avoided. I recall a local incident a few years ago where a youth team (around...

Tricky fixture for me this past weekend between 2 decent youth teams in a very competitive league (top 8 teams separated by 4 points). Away team have a reputation for being difficult and I home team no angels so I was expecting it to be feisty and so it proved. I got through unscathed but a...

Charging an opponent in whichever way you want is still thought of as being a legitimate challenge.

I've never had that but it's one of those unique situations you hope will happen at some time just to 'enjoy' the response when you give it.

The practice over recent years of stage managing drop balls has led to all kinds of assumptions and expectations. In my game this past weekend I had stopped play to restart with a drop ball to the defending team in the middle of their own half. An attacking player, encouraged by his coaches...

I realise that it would be wrong to let the keeper continue as a keeper. The mischief would come from accepting the keeper's exclusion while knowing, but not explaining, the consequences. I wouldn't be so devious though!