Referees

Controversial Goal Gives Nigeria A Helping Hand In Win Over South Korea

Nigeria put on an excellent performance Wednesday against South Korea, securing a 2-0 victory and a vital three points in Group A. However, instead of talking about Nigeria’s win, everybody seems to be talking about Nigeria’s first goal, a South Korea own goal, which was marred by controversy.

The goal came when a ball was played into South Korea’s box and was mishit by South Korean defender Kim Do-yeon, deflecting off her foot and into the goal.

Unlike That Of Social Media, France’s Response To Narrow VAR Decision Was The Best Response

Yes, the Women’s World Cup is using VAR. Yes, people are going to complain. And yes, the VAR got the call right in its first usage during the tournament opener between France and South Korea on Friday. 

France was the first victim of VAR at Women’s World Cup after a goal was disallowed for the narrowest of offside calls in the first half of the first match of the tournament. 

Portugal PK Wiped Out To Award Switzerland PK, So Ronaldo Responds With Hat Trick

The UEFA Nations League semifinals kicked off Tuesday. The new competition began with group play in the fall and concludes this week with the top league’s group winners playing a mini-tournament in Portugal. 

Portugal took a lead in the first semifinal against Switzerland through a powerful Cristiano Ronaldo free kick. The Swiss then equalized in the most unusual of circumstances.

Ref Lights Up Cigarette, Drinks Beer At Halftime Of Croatian Playoff

Being a referee is a thankless, difficult job. No matter how well referees officiate a match, they will almost always be scorned by players and fans of both sides. But being a Croatian referee? That’s not so bad, apparently.

During a recent lower-league playoff semifinal match between Petrovije and Momjan 1947, a referee was seen lighting up cigarettes and drinking beer at halftime.

If there’s a better way to deal with divas who complain about every little call, I’d like to see it.

One For The Refs: Y’All Are Getting New Jerseys!

When Tottenham and Liverpool take to the pitch on June 1 for the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final, Spurs (the designated home team) will do so wearing their historic “Lilywhites” while Liverpool will be outfitted in iconic red. However, more eagle-eyed observers will notice one distinctly different kit on the pitch: that of the referees. 

Slovenian ref Damir Skomina and his assistants, Jure Praprotnik and Robert Vukan, will wear the new threads after UEFA agreed to a deal with Italian sportswear company Macron to provide referee uniforms for all UEFA competitions until 2022.  

Horrendous Piece Of MLS Officiating Ends With Ref Abusing VAR System To Bail Himself Out

Last night, D.C. United defeated the Columbus Crew 3-1 at Audi Field thanks to goals from Luciano Acosta, Wayne Rooney and Paul Arriola, but the complexion of the match would’ve been wildly different had the Crew’s 22nd-minute opener been allowed to stand.

With the score level at 0-0, referee Ted Unkel got mixed up in the play with United in possession. A pass intended for Acosta never reached its mark because of the ref’s interference, and Wil Trapp immediately released Pedro Santos going the other way. Santos hammered home his finish, 1-0 to the Crew.  

FIFA Names 15 Video Assistant Referees For 2019 Women’s World Cup — All Men

In March, FIFA confirmed the use of VAR — video assistant referees — for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, something it really had to do after its successful implementation at the 2019 men’s World Cup. 

On Thursday, FIFA named the 15 video assistant referees who will man the booths at this summer’s Women’s World Cup — and we do mean man.

All 15 VAR picks are men. 

Stephanie Frappart To Become First Woman To Referee Ligue 1 Match

Stephanie Frappart will become the first female Ligue 1 referee during Sunday’s match between Amiens and Strasbourg. 

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