Referee Cuneyt Cakir found himself embroiled in controversy after his decision to send off Manchester United midfielder Nani for a high boot to the side of Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa.
In this space, I strive to comment on referees doing the right things: good fundamentals, creative game management and the like. There are times, however, when we can learn from mistakes by referees at the highest level.
Referee Phil Dowd took up a position on the goal line for a crucial last-second corner kick in an FA Cup tie betwteen Oldham and Everton. His choice of positions paid off handsomely.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had his kilt in a twist following United’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The object of the Scots derision: ‘Stand-side linesman’ Simon Beck.
Referee Mike Dean sent off Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany for serious foul play when he adjudged the defender to have been guilty of a two-footed challenge. But the benefit of multiple replay angles tell a different story.
A primer on the requirements for becoming a certified soccer referee under the auspices of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), including testing requirements.
Part of being “ready for assignments” is having all of your gear ready to go. Most game assignors don’t want to hear from you until you have all of your gear and ready to be assigned. There are only a few items that are mandated by the US Soccer Federation, but there are several other…
In The Opinion Of The Referee 