Individual Answers

Ryan Hibbard, England

Do you think it is fair that select group referees not only get appointed to all premier league games but often the best games in the championship too. Especially when the select group are not used in the early stages of the league cup or not at all in the football league trophy, surely if you are going to have a role in the football league it should be a full one and not just cherry picking better fixtures.

This question should be aimed at the Management of the PGMO who make the appointments – however, there are currently 20 Select Group Referees and we are appointed to 15 matches each week, 10 on the Premier League and 5 selected matches on the Football League. These matches are carefully picked for various reasons, local derby, previous history between the sides, potential crowd trouble etc... often it is decided to put a more experienced official on these games to deal with these problems.

Steve Jones, England

Hi Steve, Could you solve a debate between a few refs regarding the below situation; "What action, if any you would take against a keeper who deliberately and knowingly and cynically handles a deliberate backpass, that he could have cleared with his feet, in order to deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity?" We've had answers from Indirect Free Kick only to Indirect Free Kick and a dismissal for DOGSO. This can't be right? Cheers.

It’s very clear the Law states that the goalkeeper inside his own penalty area cannot be guilty of a handling offence incurring a direct free kick or any misconduct related to the handling the ball. This type of offence would be punishable with an indirect free kick from the place where he handled the ball.

matthew jarvis, England

Hi steve what has been the most memobery game for you

There have been many and it is difficult to isolate one particular game in answering your question. My top three would probably be the 2007 FA Cup Final Chelsea v Manchester United, (the first one at the new Wembley) international match Brazil v Argentina and refereeing the Ukrainian League decider in 2006 between Dynamo Kiev and Shaktar Donetsk.

Colin McDonald, England

in almost every close contact situation in the moderr game, both players are fouling. A common example is shirt pulling. In almost every such case, each player has hold of his opponents shirt. Who commits the foul? Is it the first to grab? Is it the more serious offender? If so, how is this assessed? Joe public has no concept of this point.

An interesting point – it comes down to how you manage the situation. I agree there are lots of situations where players hold each other. It is often wise to penalise the first instance to ensure that the situation does not escalate into something more serious. Often you will see a player swing out his arm in an attempt to ‘break free’ from his opponent - this action often leads to further misconduct. My advice would be one of having a cautious approach, don’t ignore it hoping it will stop, act on it and prevent further difficulties for yourself.