RateTheRef

VAR IS BRILLIANT!!!

Any interesting match - a brilliant award of the 2nd Grimsby penalty for the hit out by the SOTON centre-half. But very disappointed about the time taken for the VAR review for the 1st penalty and that the AR2 got Walcott's offside for the disallowed goal wrong.

Without VAR, Grimsby would have been incorrect eliminated from the Cup. Probably the first match they have played with it in operation

From an unbiased Mariner.

All we get from spectators, players and team officials at all levels, is that the referees aren't good enough for them...

But given the lack of numbers becoming referees and joining adult football, how do we improve? We as referees, know that to replace those at the top of the profession is a 3-5 years turnaround.

But can money turn this around? Will the FA invest significant more money in referee development?

Given Gareth Southgate is reported to be on a £4M bonus for winning the world cup, could this be available to the CFA for their development programs? But this would be only c £100K per CFA

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/56150465

Should be a drop-ball restart to the defending goal-keeper, but I don't know how the game was actually re-started. Bet the other team would be happy about that! 

An email from the FA about potential changes in refereeing structure following the changes to the NLS for 20/21. Anybody got any further information?

Changes to National League System/Refereeing Pyramid – Season 2020/21

 
As many of you will be aware, the on-going restructure of the National League System will be completed in readiness for the start of season 2020/21. These changes will result in the creation of a “pure” football pyramid from Step 1-Step 6, including the creation of additional divisions at Step 3, Step 4 and Step 5, and the repositioning of what is currently Step 7 outside of the System to be known as ‘Regional NLS Feeder Leagues’ – this bridging the gap between County and National League System football.

These changes have necessitated a review of the refereeing structure. During this review it has become apparent that the refereeing pyramid will need to adapt to the changing football environment to ensure consistency of appointments both in terms of the type/balance of appointment (referee v assistant referee) and the level of match officials used on a particular step in the National League System.

As a consequence, the FA Referees’ Committee unanimously agreed to changes to align the refereeing pyramid as closely as possible with the National League System and thereby provide a consistent environment for referees operating at a specified level, whilst aiming to retain accessibility for referees nationwide.

Discussions are taking place to finalise the necessary changes and we will be communicating directly with impacted parties (leagues, match officials, County FAs) in December, both on a national and regional basis. In addition to written correspondence, we will be holding face to face meetings.