A few weeks ago I wrote about the dismay some referees felt at some of the decisions being made by the FA Review Panels. I mentioned in particular the reprieve of Carlton Cole when his high lunge only just missed …
Mark Ives is the Discipline Manager of the FA but his involvement in football is just about as wide as you can get. He has been with the FA for 12 years and Head of Department for the last 7 …
Guest speaker Mar 2013: Mark Ives – “Discipline and the Way Forward” Read more →
The horror tackle of Wigan’s Callum McManaman on Newcastle’s French defender Massadio Haidara has been the latest in a series of high profile incidents recently. What has caused even more controversy than the tackle itself, was the refusal of the …
Many football mangers seem happy to admit that they are not clear on the offside law. Harry Rednapp said on television a little while ago, ‘I don’t understand the offside law anymore’. Reading’s recently departed manager Brian McDermot, said much …
It’s our monthly meeting this Thursday 21 March, 7.45pm as usual at the Earley Home Guard Social Club, Pitts Lane, Earley, Reading RG6 1BS This month we are very pleased to welcome Mark Ives, Discipline Manager of The FA. Mark is a former Level …
The biggest talking point last week was without doubt the sending off of Nani of Manchester United in their Champions League match at Old Trafford, when they lost against Real Madrid knocking them out of the tournament. Many felt that …
John Motson once said to me that there was certain similarity between referees and television sports commentators. We both, he said, have to make instant decisions, which afterwards we sometimes regret. Referees of course, have to make their decisions about …
We were pleased to welcome back Jeff Pettitt who has always provided us with and entertaining but fruitful evening on our quest to be better referees. Jeff was a Premier League assistant referee for many years before quitting to concentrate …
Guest speaker Feb 2013: Jeff Pettitt – “Achieving greatness with simple steps” Read more →
This year, as many readers may be aware, marks a significant anniversary in the world of football and in particular the Laws of the Game. It was 150 years ago that the Football Association was formed at a meeting in …
Some good many years ago, in an article in the Football Referee magazine, I outlined how I judged whether a tackle was fair or a foul. To my surprise and may I say to my great delight, that law was …
