Welcome to the 39th edition of The Corsham Referee monthly International Football/Soccer Referees' newsletter. 

I hope that all of you continue to enjoy your role in the world of refereeing. Please let me have any contributions for the newsletter, as readers are always interested in hearing about Refereeing from around the world. Please let me know if you have any difficulties in receiving or reading the newsletter; and let me have any suggestions on how it can be improved. It is issued free by email in both html (web page format), and plain text format. Previous issues (and printable pdf versions) can be seen by using the 'Previous Newsletters' link on the home page of my http://www.corshamref.org.uk web site. This newsletter is issued approximately on the 1st day of each calendar month.

Keep up the good Refereeing work wherever you are in the world; and my best wishes go to you all. Editor Julian Carosi.

UPDATED JEWELLERY STATEMENT FROM THE FA ENGLAND

Law 4 - The Players' Equipment

After receiving feedback from County Football Associations, Leagues, Clubs and Referees, and taking into consideration their concerns, in particular regarding a player who cannot remove their wedding band, it has been decided to issue the following amendment to my letter dated 5th July 2006 (reference NSB/GEN/26)

Law 4 of The Laws of the Game states that "A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery)"

Exception:

A player, who can satisfy the referee prior to the game that their PLAIN WEDDING BAND is unable to be removed, will be allowed to cover it with tape.
(This only applies to a plain wedding band and no other type of jewellery)

This amendment is to ensure that no jewellery, which can be physically removed, is worn by players. It recognises the fact that, sometimes through the passage of time, wedding bands become extremely difficult to remove. 

Regards

Neale Barry
Head of Senior Referee Development
26 July 06 (sent to all County FAs)

THE RISK OF HEAT

Officials should be very cautious in authorizing games and practices in environments where the temperature plus humidity combined are 35 C and over. They should enquire of the participants to ensure pre-event hydration, medication use and susceptibility to heat injury (prior occurrence). Also unlimited substitution are recommended during games as is frequent fluid brakes and fluid availability on both sides of the field.

How can you tell if one of your soccer players is experiencing heat injury?

 Below is a list of the early warning signs to look for and again this is not an exhaustive list:

Flushed face 
Hyperventilation 
Headache 
Dizziness 
Tingling arms 
Goose bumps (hair on arms standing on end) 
Chilliness 
In-coordination 
Confusion, agitation, uncooperativeness 

A preseason or pre - event conditioning program, when combined with an 8 - 14 day period of acclimatization, may further reduce the risk of heat injury. 

There are 3 main types of heat injury identified in the medical literature:

1. Heat Cramps - these are the mildest form of heat trauma and are commonly related to low body sodium and chloride levels.
Signs & Symptoms include - weakness, muscle cramps, collapse with low blood pressure.
Treatment - is aimed at replacing the salt loss and can be oral or by intravenous if vomiting is a problem. Having athletes put a little extra salt on their food the day before and day of game can be a helpful way to avoid this condition.

2. Heat Exhaustion - this is a more severe medical event as follows.
Signs & Symptoms include - weakness, irritability, collapse, unable to sweat adequately to promote body cooling, my proceed in the more ominous heat stroke and a fine rash is often present.
Treatment - remove athlete to a cooler environment, use ice baths, fans.

3. Heat Stroke - THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY - it is due to a failure of the heat-controlling mechanism. It may occur merely as a result of exposure to heat.
Signs & Symptoms include - mental confusion, headache, in-coordination, delirium, convulsions and death. The body temperature may be 106 F or 40.5 C or higher, the skin is usually hot and dry as the sweating mechanism has failed.
Treatment - Seek help or transport to a local Hospital. Rapid cooling is the goal using wet towels, spray mist, sponge baths and removal from the
heat. This condition could cause the athlete to go into shock and coma may follow so immediate medical attention is required.

Reference: American College of Sports Medicine POSITION STAND. HEAT & COLD ILLNESSES DURING RUNNING ACTIVITIES: 1987

Acknowledgements: Dr. Rudy Gittens Medical Director, Canadian Soccer Association

Submitted by: Dr. Robert Gringmuth Chair, OSA Medical Committee

This paper was originally published in Inside Soccer Magazine.

THE FA CARD PROCEDURE

How to use red and yellow cards:

The Law requires referees to use these cards at all levels of the game. The mandatory use of the cards is merely a simple aid for better communication. Referees should not use either card in an aggressive or provocative manner like to inflame an already emotive situation. Neither should the cards be used in an over-demonstrative manner, which may humiliate a player and perhaps cause him to overreact. 

The sequence of action approved by The Football Association and which should be followed is:

i) State that the player is being cautioned; 
ii) Enquire his name; 
iii) Warn him about his future conduct;
iv) Show a yellow card as described above.

Obviously, a red card will be used for a dismissal, unless that dismissal is for a second caution in the same match', in which case a yellow card will be shown immediately before the red card. However, referees operating at International and some National levels have the option to show red and yellow cards immediately after offences or as above, but only in exceptional circumstances such as to defuse a possible flashpoint or to prevent an act of retaliation. If a player is about to be sent from the field of play for sending off offences 1-6, it is advisable to enquire his name prior to the sending off.

If a player commits either a cautionable or sending off offence during the half time interval or on the field of play after the final whistle, the appropriate card(s) should be shown.
Only a player or substitute player or substituted player may be shown the red or yellow card. The Referee has the authority to take disciplinary sanctions, as from the moment he enters the field of play until he leaves the field of play after the final whistle.

If a named substitute commits an act of misconduct, he will be treated as a player, including being shown a yellow card or a red card depending on the offence. If he, at a later stage in the match, commits a further cautionable offence, he shall be sent from the field of play and shown a yellow card followed by a red card. This will apply even if he is acting as an assistant referee.

Although the Law requires a referee to show a yellow card to a player as part of the cautioning procedure, failure to do so does not mean that a caution has not been administered and the player concerned will be dealt with in accordance with the laid-down disciplinary procedures.

MOANING ROONEY  Referee hits out at Rooney moaning

Horacio Elizondo, the referee who sent off Wayne Rooney in the World Cup quarter-final against Portugal, has criticised the Manchester United forward for being a World Cup whinger.  The Argentine official said: "He was complaining all the time, always coming close to you and saying 'referee' this, 'referee' that. Protests and more protests. He reminded me of my kids."

Elizondo also claimed that the then England manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, was not amused with his star player over the incident when he apparently stamped on defender Ricardo Carvalho. He said he was in his dressing room after England were knocked out when Eriksson came and spoke to him.

"He wanted to congratulate us. I really appreciated that. We chatted for a few seconds and he mentioned the red card. 'Rooney stamped on him, didn't he?' he asked.

"I nodded. 'I can't understand how a professional player can react like that,' he told me. Then he left."

Elizondo siad that he was not influenced by the protests of Rooney's United team-mate, Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, in the sending off. He said: "He stamped on Carvalho's groin. That is a straight red card in any country." 

( www.telegraph.co.uk 31 July 06)

FOOTBALLER'S JAW BROKEN IN FRIENDLY!

A village footballer who punched an opponent breaking his jaw, was ordered to pay him £4,644 compensation on 14 August. Matthew Tett, 23,of Newton Poppleford, Devon, who admitted causing grievous bodily harm, was also given a 36-week jail sentence suspended for two years. Exeter Crown Court heard he hit Kevin Pratt when the men clashed in a friendly match.

( www.telegraph.co.uk 15 Aug 06)

NO MORE EXCUSES

When managers are interviewed, I would like to hear them give their views on the tactical and technical aspects of the game rather than excuses about referees' decisions, injuries and bad luck.  Managers would be more respected by the public if they showed their tactical insight and understanding of the game. For this to happen, though, the media need to encourage them to give more in-depth analysis as happens in other sports.

Respect for referees
Everybody needs to show more respect for the match officials be it players, managers or TV pundits. The erosion of sportsmanship must be redressed in relation to diving, feigning injury and acceptance of decisions. But the standard of decision-making by the officials and their understanding of the game will have to rise if they are to keep pace with the intensity of modern football.

Stewart Robson played for Arsenal and West Ham and is a UEFA 'A’ licence holder, educating coaches to develop elite players.

( www.telegraph.co.uk 13 Aug 06)

RULE MUST BE CHANGED TO STOP THUGS GETTING OFF THE HOOK

If ever there was an opportunity for a fourth official to prove that the role is not a complete waste of space, it was surely when referee Dermot Gallagher missed the severity of Ben Thatcher's forearm smash on Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes, an effort that would have earned the admiration of Mick McManus, not to mention Duncan Ferguson. So where was Mr Fourth Official at the time?

Probably engaged in more important matters, like ensuring that neither manager encroached a centimetre outside of his technical area and that the spare balls were pumped up to the required pressure.

Since Gallagher 'dealt with' the offence by issuing a yellow card, the Football Association were officially unable to take action, clearly a ludicrous situation when the Old Bill were seeking to get Thatcher banged up for GBH. So it is to the FA's credit that they have ignored their rule book to charge Manchester City's Thatcher with serious foul play.

Thatcher's offence was so despicable that even the players' overpaid union chief, Gordon Taylor, a dreadful apologist for his members, felt that he had to issue a few condemnatory words, saying: "Any contact with an elbow to the head has got to be eradicated. But I am sure that Thatcher did not intend to cause serious injury." As usual, Taylor missed the point, which is that Thatcher clearly did not care whether he caused serious injury. His only concern was taking out Mendes. The FA seem certain to hand out a stiff ban and then, let us hope, they fight to change a rule that lets an offender escape because of a referee's (and a fourth official's) incompetence.

(By Ray Collins  www.telegraph.co.uk 27 Aug 06)

THE ROLE OF THE FOURTH OFFICIAL 

Given the pace of modern football in the Barclays Premiership, many observers feel that referees need eyes in the back of their head if they are to spot all the incidents that occur on and off the field. And while the FA Premier League Select Group officials do not meet that criteria, they are given all the support possible to ensure that the level of officiating is of the highest possible standard. 

On top of the two assistant referees, the men in the middle receive further support from the fourth official, who is present at every match and carries out various duties to aid, assist and work alongside the referee and his assistants. One of the key roles of the fourth official is to monitor the dugouts of both teams and their respective technical areas, and ensure players, coaches and managers do not break the laws which govern them. 

Each team is allowed 11 people on their bench, five of whom will be the substitutes, with the remaining six made up of the manager, coach, physiotherapist and other backroom staff. 

The technical area, which is always clearly marked, extends one metre to either side of the dugouts and forward to within one metre of the edge of the pitch. And while two people - the manager and the coach - are allowed to stand in this area, only one is allowed to pass on instructions and advice to the players. 

ROLE OF THE OFFICIAL MATCH DELEGATE 

While the match officials are often in the spotlight during Barclaycard Premiership games, there is another figure who plays an equally crucial role in the proceedings.  In the stands at every Barclaycard Premiership match there is an Official Match Delegate, appointed by the FA Premier League to report on what occurs both on and off the pitch.  The delegate’s role is two-fold, reporting back on the performance of the four match officials - the referee, his two assistants, and the fourth official - and also all other aspects of the match day. 
They ensure that the standards of refereeing in the top-flight of English football remain high, but also to provide an unbiased and objective viewpoint, the delegate compiles a detailed report on all aspects of the performance of the referee throughout the game. This report covers areas such as the way in which the referee applies the laws of the game, his positioning on the pitch, teamwork with the assistants, the way players were managed - particularly during confrontations, communication of decisions, and the overall work-rate and fitness of the referee. 
It is also the responsibility of the delegate to ensure that the kits worn by both clubs are sufficiently distinguishable, and also that there is no conflict of colours with the shirts worn by the match officials. 
The delegates are selected for duty at matches in the Barclaycard Premiership from a pool of 20, which is made up former referees, and other people who have been involved in football for several years. 

SELECT GROUP OFFICIALS FOCUS ON SIGHT TESTS 

Ever expressed the view that match officials should have their eyesight checked? Well they do, and the tests are far more advanced than anything you will see at your local opticians. Very rarely will a game pass in the Barclaycard Premiership without a disgruntled supporter questioning the standard of the match officials' eyesight. 

The individual, despite not being as close to the action as the officials, probably feels that their team has been dealt a great injustice - surely the referee saw that ‘foul’ or how did the assistant's flag not go up to prevent that potentially match-winning goal? 

The referees and assistants know better though. 

They are fully accustomed to bearing the brunt of fans' frustrations and the truth is that referees' eyesight is in excellent order. It has to be. Most supporters probably don't appreciate the fact that the Select Group officials, who take charge of England's top matches, undergo a whole range of ophthalmic tests before each season to ensure their eyes are in full working order.

The tests, which are performed during the referees' pre-season fitness week, take around 20 minutes to complete and bare little resemblance to a trip to your local opticians. 
Binocular coordination, or how well the two eyes work together is assessed, as is contrast sensitivity - how the brain is able to discriminate that something is slightly different to an object in front or behind it. 

Depth perception or 3-D vision is also tested, while peripheral vision - how good you are at being aware of objects to the right and left whilst looking at something straight ahead - and reaction times are evaluated. 
Each of the tests looks at a different component of vision. All of these components added together would equal what most people call ‘vision’. 

Some of the tests would not be included in a routine eye test as they are not necessary for the majority of people in their everyday life. When the visual system is working at a high level it allows the official to apply their judgement and their interpretation of the game to a given situation and make a decision as quickly as possible. There is no pass or fail. The tests are a diagnostic tool if there's a need to consult an optician. 

http://www.premierleague.com/

REFEREE JARGON
By Julian Carosi.

Throughout the development of soccer since the late 1800's, a language of clichés used solely within the game of football has evolved. There is no other place for such phrases like, the travelling army, the stroke-of-half-time, a square ball, a set piece, a professional foul, a last gasp winner, latch onto a pass, goal-hanging, dribbling the ball, cross-cum-shot, handbags etc. 

On their own, these phrases are meaningless, but when used in the world of football, they each describe something significant within the game. For example; a square ball in its true sense, would be useless, yet in football, it describes a pass made across the field of play that could lead to a goal being scored.

Shakespeare had a similar talent. He could describe in a sentence (or a few words), that which others would need a whole page to depict.

This development of specialised jargon would irritate those outside of football, yet it is now essential to use it when talking and writing about the game. In fact, it would be difficult to easily describe some of these phrases in everyday words. For example, it would take a sentence or two to describe in detail, the term 'handbags", yet this single word, describes the complex locking of horns between opponents. It is a humorous expression to describe two tough opponents trying to look manly when confronting each other. But ending up making fools of themselves, by looking like two ladies innocuously swinging their handbags at each other!

The English vocabulary is woefully inadequate for recounting the details of sporting actions; for there are no plain words to easily describe them.

It is no surprise therefore, that the refereeing (and assistant refereeing) world has also developed its very own jargon. For where else will you hear, such terms as; 'give me time down' or 'take the right wings'. It is not long, before rookie referees are speaking in the same tongue without even realising it!

Let us look at these, and a few other terms that are just as strange (if the words themselves are taken literally!) 

'Take the right wings' - this refers to the part of the touchline that the referee instructs his Assistant Referees to patrol. He wishes them to patrol alongside the attacking right wing players.

'Give me time down' - is a recognised term describing a subtle hand signal given by the Assistant Referee, that tells the referee, when 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 minute of play remains of the 45 minutes of each half. 

'Let me have first bite' - (not of his pie, but) is an instruction given by the referee to his Assistants, asking them to delay making a decision (particularly a penalty) if the referee has already seen it. In other words, it is much better for the referee to make the decision, rather than the Assistant. 

'In your own quarter' - describes that part of the field of play nearest to an Assistant Referee as he patrols his half of the touchline. For example, a Referee may instruct his Assistant to be responsible for giving throw-in directions when the ball leaves the field in the Assistant's quarter. 

"Running a diagonal" - describes a monitoring path that the referee runs diagonally across the field of play from one corner flag to another. This can be a right diagonal, or a left diagonal. The Assistants are often asked to 'take right wings!'

"Staying with the second last defender" - describes the position that the Assistant Referee should be along the touchline, in relation to the defender who is the second one furthest from his own goal line. This enables the Assistant Referee to monitor offside decisions. 

"Goal Judge" - during the taking of penalty kicks, an Assistant Referee will be asked by the referee to come along the goal line, to judge whether the ball crosses into the goal during a penalty kick.

"Selling your decision" - refers to the techniques use by a referee to make decisions plausible to the players. This includes being nearby when making important decisions, making them strongly, quickly and consistently correctly. All of these will give great credence to the referee, in the eyes of the players involved. 

These are just a few terms used in the referees' world of jargon. Whilst experienced referees may easily understand them, they remain gobbledegook to others.

With liberal use of such jargon, a group of experienced referees can hold a conversation that is totally incomprehensible to anyone from the outside, but which nevertheless, seems like a new national tongue for the speakers! 

Imagine the thoughts of a brand new referee, running his first line for an experienced referee, when he is given the following pre-match instruction by the referee.

"I want you to give me time down at the ends of each half, let me have first bite on penalty decisions and be goal judge, give throw-in direction in your own quarter, take the right wings, stay with the second last defender, and if you flag for a foul, sell your decision!

It's like another language!

FA NATIONAL REFEREE INSTRUCTORS' COURSE 22-28 JULY 2006 ENGLAND: 
By Julian Carosi

Just a few words to tell you about my recent week long course with the Football Association to become Licenced Referee Instructor. What a great pleasure and an honour it was, to receive a nomination from my Wiltshire County FA to attend the FA National Referee Instructors' Course 2006, held at Staverton Park near Daventry here in England.

The pre-course brief and comprehensive programme, which arrived a good month ahead of the start date, listed all of the attendees, broken down into groups of six. We would be working together in these small groups, and presenting in front of each other, throughout the week. Each student is required to prepare a 15 minute classroom teaching session prior to arriving at the course, on a given subject, ranging (on this year's course) from, 'Communication skills when approaching Club Officials prior to the game', to 'Recognising Penal Offences'. The six presentations in total (one per student), forms part of a virtual 'Newly Qualified Referees' Seminar' that each student delivers to his group members (who form the dummy audience) on the second morning of the course. 

I was allocated to Group 2, headed by Referee Keith Hill who was to be our Group Instructor throughout the week. The course is structured over 7 days, from Saturday to Friday. Each group has its own large workroom allocated, where presentations and preparation are carried out.  Each day, begins with a mass gathering of all the students and instructors, to review the previous day's learning. Following this, the students disperse to their respective group workroom, where the next presentation topics are handed out, and where feedback on previous presentations is discussed.

In addition to the pre-course topic, a further four presentations (two classroom and two outdoor practical sessions) are required to be individually constructed by the students and presented in front of your group. 

In total, there are 3 sessions at 15 minutes each, and one 20 minutes to deliver. we would be learning new teaching and coaching techniques that required us to take risks, thus resulting in our gradual progression by becoming better instructors by the end of the course. It is therefore, not the level of the individual presentation tick mark assessments that proved to be important, rather our ability to progress forwards by using the newly learnt teaching and coaching skills.

There are two outdoor practical coaching sessions to be delivered by each candidate. These are held on playing fields a few minutes walk away from the classrooms. 

The sessions involve subjects ranging this year from, 'Goal Kick Management', to 'Caution and Dismissal Procedures'. As the week progresses, a great camaraderie builds up within each group.

Whilst delivering your presentation, the other group members have to play the part of an audience, ranging from new referees, to newly promoted Level 4 referees (depending the session being delivered). The camaraderie is doubly important, as the members of each group will be invited back in the together, when re-licensing is required in 5 years time. 
It was very important for the group members (audience) to remain focused and serious whilst a colleague is delivering his/her session; but this proved to be difficult on a number of occasions. In one outdoor session, whilst a group member was delivering his session (mimicking a situation where he was a referee having a word with a perpetrating player), the following words were heard, "I told you once before, so I won't tell you again". An image of Leo Sayer singing those famous words in his squeaky voice suddenly appeared in the minds of the group members, who could not help but fall about laughing. Needless to say, those present will never be able to seriously use those words again in a real match situation! 

Following the delivery of the final student session on Thursday, all those present enjoyed a splendid suit and tie dinner.
Yes it was hard work, but it was also very enjoyable.  The accommodation was very good, with on-suite rooms, gymnasium, swimming pool, sauna and golfing facilities available. The group camaraderie as a major factor, with many new friends being made during the week. 

FA Course Director Ian Blanchard and Course Coordinator Ray Olivier can be very proud in putting together a very well balanced week, ably assisted by all of the superb group instructors and presenters. The students too, played their part!

If you are interested in becoming an instructor, please contact your County FA. It is a great job, and very rewarding. 

I can't wait to start using the new teaching and (more importantly) coaching skills.

Julian Carosi

THIS MONTH'S HOT TOPICS:

This month, we look at: more advice on simulation; when can a substitute take a throw-in; can the shin be used in a backpass?, and finally, a shinned free kick.

SIMULATION (DIVING)

Last month's newsletter featured some tips on how to identify simulation. Since then, more ideas have come in. Hence, the repeat of this important question, along with some more good advice.

Question: How can you identify simulation (Diving)?

Answer by R.D. Britton, found on the Referees' Association discussion page 3 July 2006: 

Any player who is tripped will pitch forward, his head will go forward and down, his back will arch away from the ground, his arms will fly forward and down and he will try to recover the tripped leg under him to avoid an uncontrolled fall. 

Any player diving will do the opposite of these things to one degree or another. He pitches forward, of course, but he throws his head up and back, he arches his upper back away from the ground, his arms fly up and back and the leg apparently tripped, he leaves behind him with the toe pointing towards the ground like a ballerina, because he is deliberately engineering a controlled fall and curving the body away from the ground minimises the impact. 

A further significant feature in all cases of tripping versus diving is that a trip is abrupt and sudden, whereas a dive is relatively slow and graceful. 

Nearly all the trips seen in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, have been dives, or at least falls with no real effort made to avoid falling. 

If proof is needed and the evidence is still around, an excellent example of a trip occurred in the Holland/Portugal match when, near the Portuguese left touchline, Boularouz took down Holand player Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo had no idea it was coming and could not, therefore, prepare to dive. His fall has all the characteristics in every respect which I have listed of a true trip. 

If this trip is contrasted with just about every other recording of players falling when apparently interfered with by another, it will be seen that most falls are dives. Clearly, some are fouls, but, equally, many could have been survived by the fouled player without going down. 

If referees rejected appeals in all cases where a player went down exhibiting the dive characteristics which are listed above, diving would soon stop, especially if accompanied by a caution.

The following advice is from: Terry Boyd B.App.Sci.(Physio), F.A.S.M.F. Sports Physiotherapist Australia.

Other simulation signs include the tactic of "flicking up" both feet simultaneously. In this manoeuvre, the cheating player's body can be seen to remain relatively upright, as both feet are smartly kicked up towards their buttocks in a (strangely obvious) manner, to suggest that they have been tripped. In the event of such a trip actually being committed, the fouled player's head and body will suddenly pitch forwards, with the arms outstretched and the perpetrators feet well behind the centre of gravity.

A second "zero points" effort, is when an opponent makes contacts with a player fairly at shoulder level, and the player then proceeds to fall as if he has been hit by a bus, shoulders inward, towards the tackler, with his legs sliding away from his opponent. It seems so obvious a dive to most of us: the relevant body parts are moving in the directions opposite to that which would occur if it were indeed an illegal push. 

Even FIFA's top officials can be fooled by the antics of players, but that should not stop the rest of us, dealing with simulation strongly when it can be spotted!

 

WHEN CAN A SUBSTITUTE TAKE A THROW-IN?

Question: If a player, when kicking a free kick, slips and hits the ball with his shin, would you consider the ball in play?"

Answer: This does pose a general viewpoint that I (and The FA) strongly adhere to.

Referees are expected to apply the rules in accordance with the 'Sprit of the Laws'. Accidents will happen in football; so if an individual referee believes that a free kick procedure has not been completed properly because of an accident as the player is running up to take the free kick, why shouldn't the Referee award a retake? 

A referee who projects an image of being a totalitarian will not get very far up the promotion ladder. It is easy to forget that the game belongs to (and is for the enjoyment of) the players (and not the Referees!) 

There is a great danger, and a growing groundswell, whose aim (for whatever reason) seems to be, to make the game less enjoyable for the players, by looking for reasons to stifle the flexibility and fairness of the 'Spirit of the Laws' in prolonged debate that very often results in more confusion for those Referees (particularly new Referees) whose focus would be better employed in the real world. Whist healthy debate is fun, and being an active participant myself, I would certainly not advocate banning debate full stop; there are occasions when an official consensus is impossible to achieve, and in most cases is not required! And to be honest, the flexibility of the Laws as they are written, is one of the factors that encourage people to become Referees. Refereeing allows you to learn important life-skills, by taking charge of difficult situations, and having the skills and confidence to be successful by interpreting a small framework of standard Laws, in such a flexible way, to produce an end product - the enjoyment of the players. How miserable we would all be as Referees, if we were suddenly asked by the FA to learn by heart, a solution for every possible scenario that could happen in football? 

It's very much up to you as an individual Referee whether you allow such a free kick continue. 

But if you were one of the players in the same game, how would your opinion of the Referee change, if he proves to be unsympathetic with how the game is supposed to be played?
Conversely, if the Referee in your game, smiles, and says, "OK lads, it was just an accident, there's no big deal; can we please retake the free kick." 

Will your confidence of that Referee increase or decrease?

It's up to you!

Let me have your thoughts on this month's topics. Regards Julian Carosi

I hope that you have enjoyed this issue of the newsletter, and that you are all continuing to enjoy your refereeing roles.  All the very warmest wishes to you all, wherever you are in the world.

Regards, Julian Carosi (Newsletter Editor):

Disclaimer: The content of this newsletter is not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The opinions expressed here are sometimes those of the Corsham Referee webmaster and the readers, or from other media sources. Reference to the male gender in this newsletter is for simplification only, and apply to both males and females. All rights of the current Laws mentioned in this newsletter are reserved by FIFA, and they are the official laws of the International Football Association Board. The Editor is not obliged to publicise unsolicited manuscripts or photos.

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