Individual Answers

Tom Denmead, England

Why did you become a referee and who helped you out the most during your early years as a referee?

As a PE teacher I had to referee schoolboy football on Saturday mornings so I decided to gain an additional qualification and wanted to understand what the laws of the game said in order to keep the parents off my back. I suppose my father was my best mentor way back – although he had never refereed he always gave me his perception which helped me a great deal in the early days.

Joe McHugh, Ireland

A striker is through on goal in the penalty area about 12 yards out when he shoots towards goal..….however just as the ball is flying over the bar, the keeper catches the player and subsequently pull the players to the ground. Is this a penalty kick and a red card for denying a goal or a goal kick and a caution?

There are several possible outcomes to this scenario – the referee would need to consider whether the challenge was careless, reckless or whether the challenge was using excessive force and thereby endangering the player’s safety. He cannot send off for denying a goal scoring opportunity as the shot was already going towards goal before any contact was made. - If the referee considers the challenge was merely unfortunate i.e. a collision of players at speed he should re-start with a goal kick. - If the referee considers the goalkeeper has committed a reckless foul challenge he should award a penalty kick (if the ball was still in play) and show the yellow card. - If the referee considers the goalkeeper has committed a challenge using excessive force he should award a penalty kick (if the ball was still in play) and show the red card for serious foul play.

sean bicknell, Scotland

HI THERE I WILL BE MOVING DO TO ENGLAND IN 2 MOUTHS TIME HOW DO I CHANGE FROM THE SCOTTISH FA TO THE ENGLISH FA THAN K YOU SEAN BICKNELL

I would suggest you write to the Football Association at Soho Square, London explaining your situation and the level you are currently officiating at, write to Neale Barry Head of Senior Referee Development The Football Association 25 Soho Square London They will then inform you of the next step and who to contact.

Andy eVANS, England

Are you in favour of the 'sin bin' as used in rugby? It seems ridiculous that a goalkeeper can be sent off for handling outside the area. That's hardly endangering an opponent, compared with a two-footed lunge or leading elbow.

You are right that a goalkeeper cannot be sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty area unless it prevents an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Handball is an offence but can have many different outcomes depending on where the offence is committed. I’m not in favour of a sin bin situation, why should we give the players another opportunity to commit further offences before we finally dismiss them from the field of play.