In the absence of Ady Williams, former international footballer and captain of Reading FC, who was required by BBC Berkshire Radio to commentate on Maidenhead’s well earned FA Cup replay with Port Vale, Reading RA is grateful to Dick Sawdon …
Recently I wrote how a tackle became a foul, but the question has arisen, when does a foul tackle become a cautionable offence. Quite obviously whenever the referee whistles for a foul, he doesn’t automatically reach in his pocket for …
In view of the publicity gained by the Rugby World Cup held in England this year and the views expressed by several commentators about the difference in attitude to the referee between rugby players and footballers, it was singularly appropriate …
The Goalkeeper in his own penalty area realises that a deliberate kick back to him from one of his defenders is a little wayward and likely to go into the goal, so he dives and denies an obvious goal by …
In the Norwich City v Crystal Palace match, Simon Hooper in his first game after being promoted to the Premier League, disallowed a goal by Cameron Jerome, scored by what many thought was a brilliant overhead, scissors kick. No opponent …
At the Reading v Huddersfield game last week there was a mystery stoppage that bewildered players and spectators alike. Late in the second half, Reading were in possession just outside the Huddersfield penalty area when the referee blew his whistle …
A fan of this column in Australia emailed me after my article on retrospective punishment. ‘Isn’t it true,’ he wrote, ‘that football is lagging behind in the use of technology? In cricket they can detect the slightest touch of the …
One of the difficult decisions a referee faces, is when two players from opposite sides tackle simultaneously for the same ball, particularly if one of the players becomes injured. Was it just a collision or was there a foul and …
Earlier this season a fourteen year old girl referee, Emily Dyke, posted an appeal on grassroots Facebook. She said that she had been abused by parents when refereeing matches for 8 and 9 year olds. ‘I find it difficult to …
The retrospective three match ban of Chelsea’s Diego Costa was probably no surprise to anyone. The television replays so clearly showed his mauling of Arsenal’s Laurent Koscieiny, which was committed out of the referee’s view. It has however highlighted the …
