Referees

Copa Libertadores Makes History With First Female Refs — But Not By Choice

BUENOS AIRES — The Copa Libertadores made history on Thursday with its first female officials, drafted in at the last minute to officiate in two matches after the scheduled officials tested positive for COVID-19.

Four Brazilians were among those named to run the Racing v Nacional game in Buenos Aires but they tested positive and were replaced by two Chileans and two Argentines, one of whom was assistant referee Mariana de Almeida.

The situation was repeated in the match between Argentine side Defensa y Justicia and Ecuadorean club Delfin.

This Has To Be The Fastest VAR Review Of All Time

Last night’s 1-1 draw between Portland and San Jose may have set the record for the fastest VAR review we’ve ever seen.

With San Jose trailing, Valeri Qazaishvili played a delightful one-two with Chris Wondolowski before rounding keeper Steve Clark and sending the ball toward the back of the net. Timbers center back Dario Zuparic heroically swept in to kick the ball away, but was it before the whole ball crossed the whole line?

EPL Clubs Vote Against 5 Subs Next Season And Approve Changes To VAR System

English Premier League clubs voted against continuing to allow the use of five substitutes in each game next season at their annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday.

Clubs were allowed to increase the number of substitutes from three per match in the 2019-20 campaign when the league restarted in June, after a three-month hiatus due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Refs To Crack Down On Players That Deliberately Cough On Their Opponent’s Face

Players who deliberately cough at opponents or referees can be shown red or yellow cards under new guidelines issued by England's Football Association (FA) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The instructions to referees taking charge of games when COVID-19 restrictions are in place will come into force immediately and be applied at all levels of the game.

After 30-Year Career, Juventus And Roma Players Surprise Referee With Heartfelt Tribute

The life of a referee is a brutal one. If a referee does their job correctly and makes all the right calls then no one talks about the official. However, if the referee does the opposite — much like Anthony Taylor in the FA Cup final — then they receive a tidal wave of criticism.

Why The Best Free Kick Of João Pedro’s Life Didn’t Count

In some ways, you have to feel bad for João Pedro. In others, you can’t help but laugh at the Cagliari striker for not knowing better. After the João Pedro free kick fiasco against Lazio on Thursday, either reaction is appropriate.

Early in Cagliari’s visit to Lazio, the referee blew his whistle for a foul about 30 yards from Lazio’s net. João Pedro stepped up and smashed the free kick straight into the back of the net. 

It was a flabbergasting shot, rifled straight into the upper 90.

And it didn’t count.

IFAB Extends New Substitution Rule To 2020-21 Season

Football's rule-making body IFAB on Wednesday said teams will be allowed to continue to use up to five substitutes next season, in a bid to cope with potential fixture congestion in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak.

IFAB, the International Football Association Board, had agreed to a temporary change to allow teams to use five substitutes, rather than the usual three, in May to "protect player welfare."

Pages