“I think fans can expect less warnings from referees (before fouls are given) than they might have seen previously, and I know (those warnings were) a source of frustration Fans can expect to see more situations being penalized, but not only in August or September, throughout the season.”
referee
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World Cup 2026 refereeing (Part 2): Personality, preparation and reading the game
In our previous article, we presented the statistics from this World Cup in comparative terms and made an objective assessment. The conclusion was that the referees implemented what FIFA had asked for. What were these objectives? • Fewer fouls and fewer cards, while controlling the game through personality and appropriate body language. • Quick VAR […]
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World Cup 2026 refereeing (Part 1): Officiating how FIFA wanted it
A total of 104 matches were played. An average of 23 fouls were called per match—including matches that went to overtime—and this figure was lower than at recent World Cups.
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2026 World Cup final referees: Slovenian debut in the middle
Slavko Vinčić will become the first Slovenian to referee a World Cup final. Vinčić reffed the 2024 UEFA Champions League final (Borussia Dortmund-Real Madrid), the 2022 UEFA Europa League final (Eintracht Frankfurt-Rangers) and whistled at the last two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup. He will be assisted by countrymen Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič. […]
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USA shows off maturity in emotional win
Mauricio Pochettino didn’t have to think long when asked what he thought of the red card star striker Folarin Balogun received in the 64th minute of the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina. “Never a red card,” said Pochettino. The controversial decision by referee Raphael Claus following a VAR review to send off Balogun for having raked the back […]
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Pochettino says Balogun foul ‘never’ a red card as suspension looms
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino said Wednesday striker Folarin Balogun should “never” have received a red card after he was sent off against Bosnia following a VAR review, meaning he will miss his side’s last-16 World Cup showdown with Belgium next week. In the 64th minute of Wednesday’s knockout game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun — […]
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Somali referee denied entry to USA for World Cup says sports ministry official
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on Monday. It was not immediately clear why Artan was barred from entering the USA at Miami International Airport, but Somalia is one […]
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Corner kick chaos in the Premier League: Arsenal wins by fouling first
Some members of the pundit class have noted the Arsenal infractions, but they can only resort to twisted logic to excuse them away.
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Insights and tales from the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Here are glimpses into the soccer lives of the five players and the referee who will be inducted into the NSHOF on Friday.
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Rules: IFAB adopts time-wasting prevention rules introduced by MLS
Soccer’s rule-making body IFAB on Saturday approved measures to tackle time-wasting that were originally introduced by MLS Next Pro in 2022 and MLS in 2024: The off-field treatment rule requires players whose injury causes play to be stopped to be treated off the field and remain off for one minute of play before being allowed […]