As the technology becomes more widespread and available, more soccer leagues and cups adopt the video assistant referee, or VAR. This fifth official works behind the scenes to identify several infractions that may go unnoticed on the field. VAR works to address fouls. That can be a foul in the build-up to a goal or […]

Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt picked up a red card late in the side's 3-1 victory against Fleetwood on Tuesday for illegal use of technology. No, he did not show bad behavior or throw out any abusive language. Instead, referees kicked Evatt out of the match for telling the fourth official that he made a […]

Controversial referee decisions sparked outrage from Barcelona manager Xavi in his side's opening-day draw against Getafe in LaLiga. Not only did Barcelona winger Raphinha see red in the first half. Xavi himself earned a straight red card directly stemming from referee altercations. Xavi took the game and applied it to the entire league. A lackluster, […]

Mexico's Liga MX officials are not happy with the officiating during the 2023 Leagues Cup. The competition began as a small tournament featuring just a handful of Major League Soccer and Liga MX clubs. However, it now includes every team from the two divisions. While the tournament features all clubs from the leagues, MLS clubs […]

Former Premier League referee Lee Mason has reportedly been re-hired by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) this summer. Mason previously stepped down as a match referee earlier in the year after a serious mistake while on duty. While he may not return to the sidelines, PGMOL has brought back Mason to train referees. Mail […]

New rules regarding time-wasting tactics are set to be implemented in England ahead of the 2023/24 season. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has announced that they will tweak how they gauge added time for the upcoming campaign. This new focus will affect English Football League (EFL) and Premier League matches. The Guardian reports […]

The English FA will begin an anti-abuse campaign next week in response to a disturbing uptick in incidents of referee abuse from players and coaches. The idea has received backing from the Premier League, the English Football League, and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). According to The Times, the campaign runs under the […]

The FA promoted the highest-ranking black match official in English soccer, Sam Allison, to referee in the Championship. He was outstanding in Leagues One and Two the previous year. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited, or PGMOL, should announce Allison in that role on Wednesday. PGMOL is the organization that coordinates and assigns referees and […]

A recent study indicates the majority of leagues across the globe favor televised discussions between referees and the VAR booth. PGMOL, the referee body of the EFL, wants to make the game more open. Therefore, it is plotting to provide more consistent glimpses into these conversations throughout the next season. In reality, there has been […]

Roma manager Jose Mourinho has received yet another sideline suspension. The Portuguese coach previously picked up a four-match ban last week for berating Anthony Taylor after the Europa League Final. The suspension, handed out by UEFA, will only be for European games. This will include the first four Europa League matches for the upcoming season. […]

Jose Mourinho was, quite predictably, not happy following his team's loss in the Europa League final on Wednesday. Roma fell to Sevilla on penalty kicks after a tense and long match in Budapest. Following the disappointing defeat, the Portuguese coach ranted about the officiating and even confronted referee Anthony Taylor in a parking garage. "This […]