Ahead of week 3 of this spring league, our Referee Coordinator’s email included this: “In one game, one of our refs was assaulted by a player after giving that player a red card. … Another game was abandoned after the coach was red carded.” Such extreme incidents were only two among a hundred games. And […]
referees
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Thursday morning: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. Indonesia stripped of hosting Under-20 World Cup by FIFA (Reuters)2. Broken promises? Future of Qatar’s World Cup stadiums still up in the air By Nick Ames (Guardian)3. VAR was supposed to fix the NWSL’s referee problems, but its debut only added more controversy By Jeff Carlisle (ESPN)
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Watch: The shameful scenes from Fulham's FA Cup loss to Man United
The FA Cup quest of Fulham, with Americans’ Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson, ended in disgrace as Fulham received three red cards in last Sunday’s 3-1 loss at Manchester United. After the VAR correctly ruled for a Man United penalty kick because of a handball by Willian, who was ejected for denying the goal, Aleksandar Mitrovic […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Tough but fair? A likely story
There is plenty of evidence pointing to the Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro being a decidedly physical player. From what I’ve seen of him (not a great deal, admittedly) I wouldn’t hesitate to define him as one of those players who seem to enjoy playing, consistently, on the edge of a yellow card. And like most […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
Saturday morning: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. Why there are no winners after the BBC’s two-footed tackle on Gary Lineker By Barney Ronay (Guardian)2. James Sands vows to ‘step up as a leader’ at NYCFC after Rangers loan By Tom Bogert (MLSSoccer.com)3. Pierluigi Collina defends FIFA push for more added time: No one wants to watch 43-minute games By Dale Johnson (ESPN)
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Should a 'soft' foul in the penalty area go unpunished?
In a Bundesliga game last Saturday, Borussia Dortmund’s Emre Can committed a foul against TSG Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma on the edge of the Dortmund penalty area. The defender clipped Akpoguma’s foot from behind. Referee Martin Petersen correctly blew his whistle, and — despite Can’s obligatory protests of innocence — the two teams lined up for […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Ref Watch: Advice to coaches from a referee's perspective
With spring seasons getting underway, here are a few things I’d like to see from coaches. 1. Substitute sensibly — and wear a watch. I would think keeping track of the game time is requisite for coaches, yet I’m amazed at how often I hear a coach’s scream for substitution with a minute left in […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
Referee Watch: USA
• Frank Anderson, who recently retired from 18 years of officiating in MLS, is the new Manager of Senior Assistant Referees of PRO. Earlier this month, PRO promoted Mark Geiger to General Manager, succeeding Howard Webb. Alan Kelly has stepped into the Director of Senior Match Officials role Geiger had served since 2019 … At the […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
What is the 'spirit' of soccer? And where can I find it?
There’s a preamble in FIFA’s “Laws of the Game” that comes under the heading, ‘The philosophy and spirit of the Laws.’ When you read this section, it’s best to adopt the lofty accent of a well-heeled Englishman, possibly a condescending headmaster at an all-boys private school. That’s because the preamble is a mixture of pompous […]
Posted inStory
USA's top ref Mark Geiger on leading PRO, the abuse problem, and the increasing demand for experienced officials
New Jerseyan Mark Geiger, the USA’s most accomplished referee, is the new General Manager of PRO, which was launched a decade ago to manage refereeing for the pro levels in the USA and Canada and now serves MLS, NWSL, the USL and MLS Next Pro. Geiger, who refereed MLS games for 15 seasons (2004-2018) and set […]