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.

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.