RateTheRef

I don’t see the benefit of a countdown for goal kicks/throw ins. The six second rule was never enforced so by bringing it in for goalkeepers holding the ball it has improved that massively. Referees already caution if they feel there is excessive delaying the restart for throws/goal kicks without too much disagreement, so I can’t see how it solves anything.

Think you’re missing the point. Yes, there’d be some kind of time limit / countdown, but then the decision would be reversed. One goal up in cup final and start faffing with a GK - at the moment that’s just a YC (which actually just interrupts the game to administer). This would see it change to a corner - simple but easy to see the incentive not to faff around. Certainly worth trying.

Reversing decisions is common in other sports and something worth looking at. Could be good for people waving imaginary cards or running in to get involved, once the ref has already given your team the decision.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/ckgl9n95p3po

Not sure how true but possible ideas reported by BBC. Think there is an IFAB meeting now/soon?

Actually some interesting suggestions, and anything that stops the intolerable dark arts ruining games, particularly at tournaments, is worth trying.

Like the idea of trying anything to combat time wasting. The 8-sec rule has actually been good, even at local level.

The limit on goal kicks/throws etc before reversing could be an easy win. The subbed player getting off sharpish and sacrificing a player for treated ‘injured’ goalkeepers could work well too.

The offside, I genuinely don’t get. It’s just a different line that will often be a hairline decision. When technology is deciding to the cm, in the end you can be the wrong side by a smidge.

Others I’d love to tackle:

- players tasked with scuffing the penalty spot and generally putting off the taker when a penalty is given. Such a turning point in any game, and a possible YC is no deterrent if you succeed in putting off the player. If PK given, all defenders (except GK) must leave the penalty area immediately?

- as discussed this week, more serious sanction for interfering with an OFR in any way once the signal has been given.

- bench occupants getting involved with things / entering the FOP.

Wonder if one idea might be a new RC offence of ‘serious unsporting behaviour’ or similar, which some things could be classed as (as not violent, or SFP)?

The only thing I can think of to combat the intimidation of the OFR is to mark some kind of arc. Then after the OFR signal is given, any player entering arc (or not leaving anrc immediately) during a check, or interfering with the referee getting there, is sent off without exception. This goes for anyone leaving the technical area during an OFR. And check doesn’t start until order is in place.

Appalling. The way the player planted his feet showed he was preparing to do it well in advance, as well. One that goes well beyond football and should certainly involve the police. Hope the receiving player is ok??

Quote from: Whistleblower on Tue 06 Jan 2026 17:00

These are heavy workloads and there may well be a case of so arranging appointments that more rest time and less travelling is factored in. However, when you get to the top of your profession and are appropriately well remunerated for it, then this is part of conditions and lifestyle you take on.

A High Court Judge works phenomenally hard and both knowledge and application have to be of the highest order. A top surgeon will have an equally punishing schedule and their work literally is a matter of life and death. Other professions could make similar claims.

Before the advent of PGMOL, when all fixtures both higher and lower profile, were spread far more around a much larger cadre of referees, people then held down a job while fitting in their refereeing. That entailed a huge commitment. Now there is professionalism, the demands are going to be greatest upon the most senior.

That said, I appreciate one wants to get the best performances from well paid professionals and so rest time, both physically and mentally, should be a factor in making appointments.

Good point, and also worth saying that they will be used to this from when they came through the ranks.  They would have been travelling long distances, especially once they reached step 2, whilst also holding down a full time job.  It probably isn't ideal that they have to travel up and down the country, but if they didn't I could absolutely guarantee people would be bemoaning the fact they are refereeing the same teams too frequently.

To me, the issue is there is are common sense reasons to avoid a number of these issues.

At this time of year, weather issues make travelling worse / trickier than usual.

Given the number of games, there’s surely the flexibility to avoid sending referees on very long journeys, especially if a second appointment is needed as 4th Off/VAR on the same slate? I generally never see the incentive of a referee being sent the length of the country just to be 4th Official - just use someone closer? This is often the case on PL. 

Some FIFA refs, who are heavily used both abroad and in high-profile games in England, could surely be rested. Does the Derby match really need Anthony Taylor who we want to referee top international games this year? Does Kavanagh - very busy recently - really have to do Charlton v Chelsea? This also allows the chance to give other referees a chance.

I would venture to suggest that had he issued a Red Card it would have been appealed and rescinded.
From a personal perspective AT was probably as disgusted as anyone but had to remain professional and deal with what he could how he could

A double yellow however has been done plenty of times before for separate offences close together, can’t be appealed and would probably been widely accepted.

Arne Slot defended Martinelli in his usual articulate way linking the incident to the broader issue of time wasting. He may be right, I think he is, but it is ironic that Arsenal are experts at this!
Nevertheless, what Martinelli did cannot be ignored. Players have to control themselves. A minor slap around the face is accepted as a red (albeit in Law). Trying to move an injured player must be treated likewise.
Time wasting is an issue. Players going down with exaggerated knocks, goalkeepers with mystery strains. How you deal with those I don't really know.

Edited to point out that this is a specific offence in Rugby League, a grade E offence, which attracts a ban of 3 -5 weeks. "Makes unnecessary contact with a Player who is or may be injured". Note the word "unnecessary" as a player may be looking to assist the injured player.

If the aim is to ‘manage the occasion’, then it’s not working. Id prefer some kind of clamp down, as for me, there’s nothing entertaining about watching these endless incidents of people surrounding officials, time wasting, faking fouls or trying to get each other sent off.

Better solution is often to use existing laws, rather than add new ones. If pulling someone’s hair, however gently, is consistently classed as ‘violent conduct’, then no reason why a player unnecessarily touching / pushing an injured player can’t be classed as serious foul play (“endagering safety of opponent”).

Something has to change soon, as the endless pathetic behaviour of players running in to get involved in incidents, rather than leaving ref to deal with things, leading to games being disrupted is just getting boring apart from anything else.