News
Howard Webb: Balogun red card controversy fuels conspiracy theories
Howard Webb says the controversy over Folarin Balogun's red card will make referees' jobs harder and opens the door to unfounded conspiracy theories.
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News
Sian Massey-Ellis retires from refereeing to join FA
Sian Massey-Ellis, a pioneering assistant referee with over 150 Premier League matches, has retired to take a senior role at the Football Association, focusing on developing female officials. She was the second woman to officiate in the Premier League and the first Englishwoman in a men's European fixture.
Opinion
Former World Cup official rejects conspiracy theories over Argentina
A former assistant referee at two World Cups dismisses claims that FIFA favours Lionel Messi and Argentina, asserting that officials operate independently and without bias. He warns that such accusations lead to abuse against referees and their families.
Matches
World Cup Final Preview: Messi, Refereeing, and Super Bowl-Style
Ahead of the World Cup final, Rick Edwards, Lloyd Griffith, John Murray, and Chris Sutton discuss key talking points including Lionel Messi's impact, refereeing standards, and the potential for a Super Bowl-style halftime show. The panel also shares first impressions from New York.
News
Deschamps Questions Referee's Level for World Cup Semi-Final
France coach Didier Deschamps questioned whether the referee has the required level to officiate a World Cup semi-final.
News
Collina defends World Cup referees after Egypt complaint
FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina says 'nobody can question the integrity' of World Cup match officials after Egypt filed a complaint over officiating in their 3-2 loss to Argentina. Collina backed the VAR decisions that overturned an Egypt goal and allowed Argentina's winner.
Opinion
World Cup 2022: Are Argentina Receiving Favorable Treatment?
Egypt has accused FIFA of bias favoring Argentina and Lionel Messi after their 3-2 loss. Allegations include refereeing errors and the appointment of an all-Argentine officiating team for France vs. Morocco. An analysis examines the claims.
Matches
World Cup signals potential end of corner kick chaos
FIFA's strict refereeing at the World Cup has reduced corner-kick goals and penalized blocking tactics, contrasting with the Premier League's leniency. The approach, championed by Pierluigi Collina, may influence future domestic competitions.
Matches
Tuchel slams World Cup referees after England's win over Mexico
England head coach Thomas Tuchel criticized World Cup referees as 'just not good enough' after a dramatic last-16 win over Mexico, which saw a red card and a controversial penalty. Tuchel's comments came after a VAR review overturned a non-foul call, leading to a penalty against England.
Matches
Joe Hart Criticizes Soft Foul Call Disallowing Cucurella Goal
Joe Hart analyzes the controversial decision to disallow Marc Cucurella's goal against Austria for a foul on goalkeeper Alexander Schlager during their World Cup last-32 match in Los Angeles. Hart believes the call was soft.
Matches
VAR controversy mars Germany's World Cup exit as disallowed goal
Germany's Jonathan Tah had a goal disallowed in extra time against Paraguay after VAR deemed a soft foul on the goalkeeper. The decision drew sharp criticism from Alan Shearer, Julian Nagelsmann, and Jurgen Klopp, who compared it to goals Arsenal score regularly. Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Women's World Cup
VAR consistency questioned at Women's World Cup after controversial
The Women's World Cup has seen a series of contentious VAR decisions, leaving fans and players confused. From Ghana's denied penalty against England to Brazil's disallowed goal and Germany's allowed goal despite a high boot, the application of VAR appears inconsistent. Statistics show similar intervention rates to the Premier League, but subjective calls vary.
Matches
Germany goal should have been disallowed for dangerous play, say
BBC Sport pundits argue that Alexander Pavlovic's high boot in the build-up to Leroy Sane's goal constituted endangering an opponent and should have been ruled a foul. The incident occurred during the World Cup Group E match between Ecuador and Germany at New York New Jersey Stadium.
News
World Cup VAR: Why It Feels Different from the Premier League
Despite a higher rate of VAR interventions per game at the 2026 World Cup than in the Premier League, fans perceive it as less intrusive. FIFA's refereeing philosophy, led by Pierluigi Collina, emphasizes a higher threshold for fouls and fewer stoppages, aligning with Premier League standards.
Matches
Scotland denied penalties in narrow World Cup defeat to Morocco
Scotland lost 1-0 to Morocco in the World Cup, with two penalty claims rejected. Former referee Christina Unkel said one should have been given, while pundits disagreed. Coach Steve Clarke was uncertain about several decisions, including a yellow card that some argued should have been red.
Matches
Scotland question key decisions in Morocco match
Scotland may feel aggrieved after three key decisions in their World Cup Group C match against Morocco in Boston.
News
VAR diving decision at World Cup wrong despite feeling right
A VAR review at the World Cup overturned a yellow card for a US player and booked Paraguay's Miguel Almiron for diving. However, sources say the decision was legally incorrect under IFAB rules, even though it punished simulation.
Matches
BBC pundits split over Bosnia goalkeeper's challenge on Canada striker
BBC pundits disagreed on whether Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj should have been sent off for a high punch that struck Canada's Tani Oluwaseyi in the head during a 1-1 World Cup draw. Wayne Rooney argued for a red card, while former assistant referee Darren Cann said the referee made the right call.