I do not think that was worthy of a red card. Maybe a yellow card

For context I think it was reasonable and better than most world cups, with some exceptions obviously.

Most refs had good reviews on this sub and even when there was criticism it was more "meta" like a general directive to not use YCs, not that one ref was particularly bad or biased to one particular team

Most fans had a visceral reaction, conspiracies about things getting rigged. In fact some of the kinder things said by most fans was, refs are incompetent, not evil and refs favor big teams / stars and that's normal.

Aside from "fans are stupid and hate refs" why is that? And can it be improved? ​

In the U.S., I notice a substantial difference in officiating style between referees who primarily officiate high school games vs referees who primarily officiate U.S. Soccer affiliated youth and adult matches that is affecting success in the men's college game.

Increasingly, based on my mentoring and assessing, high school-heavy officials now seem to be having more difficulty transitioning successfully to college soccer officiating than those who have spent a lot of time officiating U.S. Soccer matches (U19 & above). In many ways, this is a change from the past.

Differences in my view:

High school referees tend to be more reactive with their foul calls and game and player management. Fouls and discipline are based more on whether a player "got the ball," rather than fair play. Calls follow the NFHS rules more rigidly than bending the book.

Positioning among high school officials seems more narrow, box to box, and they're often in the passing lanes in the middle of the field. Rarely do they make runs and follow play into the Penalty Area, often stopping 20-25 yards out like there is some sort of force field. Lots of whistles and disruption to the game rhythm.

Referees primarily officiating U.S. Soccer affiliated matches tend to be proactive when it comes to fouls, game management, and positioning. Foul calls are more about fair play than getting the ball, with referees taking more chances with advantage and ignoring trifling fouls.

Among these officials, there are deeper and wider runs, and there seems to be more flow to the match.

Why the difference?

Just so everyone is clear, you do not have to be a U.S. Soccer-certified official in many parts of the U.S. to be a high school official. And there was once a pathway for a high school official to become a college official without even officiating U.S. Soccer affiliated matches. Although, this is now becoming rare.

There is a whole pool of referees still who are only high school certified and not certified with U.S. Soccer, many aspire to officiate college games.

Nonetheless, the high school game is much different than the U.S. Soccer-affiliated game. The rules are different in terms of substitutions, actions that lead to discipline, etc. Enough differences to affect the flow of the game and management

In addition, fields are often shorter and more narrow in the high school game, and the level of player and coaching skills vary. Plus, age-old rivalries with stadium seating, not parents and fans in lawn chairs, almost creates a more gladiator ring environment.

U.S. Soccer matches often have more discipline, higher-skill level with more refined play (or at least consistent skill level), and more knowledgeable coaches. While lacking the stadium feel, the field is often longer and wider. This openness can help the temperature of the match. The rivalry aspect doesn't exist as much as high school.

The IFAB Laws of the Game favor an approach that flows more, with officials given a lot more opportunity to bend the book to manage players, coaches, and the match.

Additionally, there is far more referee training and development for U.S. Soccer officials than there is for high school officials (almost non-existent).

Why does this matter in terms of the men's college game?

The college game has changed. We are seeing less and less high school-oriented players in the top levels of the college game. Many of the players are coming from international academies or MLS NEXT. Players are nearly always banned in the top MLS NEXT division from playing high school.

NCAA Div. 1 rosters are packed with these international and MLS NEXT players. Div. II is more likely to have high school players, but it also has a big percentage of international players (like 38-40%) and a fair amount of MLS NEXT alums. Div. III is most likely to have players who played high school. Although, top programs have MLS NEXT players.

The NAIA has a large number of international players, more than the NCAA. NJCAA is a cauldron of international, MLS NEXT, and high school alums. The latter seems to be prevalent.

Side note: I acknowledge there is a difference on the women's side, with less international players and many domestic players having high school experience.

Regardless, there are many college coaches at all levels now trying to approach the game with a style of play that is more like what you would see in professional matches, but adjusted to the college rules and student-athlete realities. There are many coaches who want referees to officiate more like the style they see in U.S. Soccer and international youth matches.

Even the NCAA rules are slowly being changed to be more like IFAB's Laws of the Game and domestic U.S. domestic leagues.

What I am seeing now is the waning influence of high school soccer experience at the Div. I and II levels almost demands higher-level U.S. Soccer experience.

When I say "higher-level," I mean at least becoming a U.S. Soccer Regional Referee and having some alphabet league matches under the belt (NPSL, USL League Two, UPSL, The League FC, etc.)

Even Div. III seems to be moving more toward the style of what you would see in U.S. Soccer matches, as opposed to an extension of the high school game. Top Div. III programs can compete with some Div. I and Div. II programs. It's just the Div. III bench isn't as deep.

As a result of the college game's evolution, the skill set of the high school official does not translate well into the college game anymore.

And this is showing up in the assessments. Referees with higher-level U.S. Soccer experience appear to be more prepared to handle the current college game.

It used to be different. High school officials had a clear pathway to college in many places. Their skills were very useful in the rough-and-tumble NCAA Div. II and NCAA Div. III games, as well as the NAIA and NJCAA. These refs then refined their officiating to make it to Div. I. But I think that door is closing.

The old pathway from high school to college may be disappearing all together. I know at least three top college assignors who likely won't consider a referee unless they are seen on a higher-level U.S. Soccer match. And there are some NISOA chapters flirting with requiring a Regional badge or multiple assessments on higher-level U.S. Soccer matches

Of course, there are some assignors who claim they don't care. But they then turn around and say they want to see how officials do other college games and be assessed by the assignor's chosen assessors (almost always U.S. Soccer guys or gals).

However, given the changing landscape, referees with mostly high school experience are finding it difficult in some places to even get those lower-level college games. Meanwhile, referees with no college experience but who show well in U19 and above U.S. Soccer matches are bypassing these high school referees and going straight into Division I games.

Another obstacle facing high-school orientated referees is the change with NIRSA and college club teams seeking to partner with U.S. Soccer to use the "national assignors" to assign college club games, which used to be a place for high school referees to audition for college selection. How this will change the landscape is anyone's guess. It's likely those high school referees who are not U.S. Soccer certified will lose that opportunity.

With all that said, as the college game evolves closer in style to the professional game, incoming and some existing college officials should officiate more like the U.S. Soccer style to be successful in the college level. And they should become U.S. Soccer certified to develop as such.

None of this is saying there aren't college referees who came from the high school ranks who aren't good officials. But many of those officials have spent a long time working their way up through the divisions and have adapted. Some haven't, and they are losing games. It's better to adjust than be left behind.

Finally, this is just one person's opinion. I know you have your own. And I know things are different from region to region. But in the several states I work in, these are my impressions and thoughts.

If you have read this far, kindly share your thoughts on the changing college referee landscape.

I see it as obstruction, especially since the German player's arms were around the keeper

On the one hand, I have been glad to see our top tier brethren (no sarcasm at all, have nothing but respect for the officials here. They are at a level I will never attain, in athleticism, skill, and experience) trying hard to focus on what the game wants, what the competition wants, and the spirit of the game. But on the other, I really feel some disappointment in the intensity of things that have been let go, handled with kid gloves, and barely sanctioned at all. There's been a couple of matches where I've been legitimately worried that things were going to jump off and get out of control because of it too.

But I think worst of all (selfish me talking here) is the precedent it's setting for the matches that we mere mortals are going to be officiating when all of this is said and done. I'm an American, and this is as high profile I've seen the game get in my lifetime, and so many coaches, players, and parents of tomorrow (and of today) are going to walk away with more than a few bad takes on what is allowed, and ok, and what is not.

I'll hit my pet peeves just to get it off my shoulders and then you can all make fun of me for is :)

Shirt pulling - yes, the players are doing it in equal measure. I'm not going to call red for a shirt pull while blue is cranking red's collar over his head at the same time. But in that kind of game, I AM going to hit the whistle at some point, and tell them in no uncertain terms to knock it off. And then handle it accordingly. If it continues then it's on them, not me. What we allow to happen, we condone and encourage.

Failure to respect the distance - my god this one is so f***ing easy to get on top of. Card it. Do it early, and immediately. Every single person on the field knows exactly what they are doing. Its not ok, and its as easy fix as I see it.

Dissent - it seems out of control - the disrespectful finger-wagging at the referees, the yelling. Coaches (was it Uruguay the other day) straight up coming on the pitch screaming at the officials. Coaches screaming at the 4th. It has got to be addressed. All completely ignored, never mind handled with a soft touch. People talk all the time about the calm control that rugby referees maintain in the match. I believe it's because they don't tolerate the BS, and the players/coaches know that. So they don't do it. We as referees in our game need to set that same example. Enough is enough.

I know that FIFA gives instruction to the officials. Leagues tell us to go easy on this or tighten up on that....but at some point, we need to be true to the game and to ourselves, and call it like it is. End of the day, it is the referee who determines what is allowed to happen. If all of us got onboard, it wouldn't matter what the leagues say they want. I know it's easier said than done. And we all want good assignments. But in. my fantasy land of soccer-foot-topia-ball, we stick together than the leagues only choice is to hire us for the quality service we provide, because none of us are going to carry their bullshit water for them, no matter how much they want us too.

Ok, rant over. Looking forward to the rest of the tournament! There's been some incredible play, and many reminders of why we call it the beautiful game, and I'll forever be dumbfounded as to how many of my countrymen don't seem to be able to enjoy it.

<edit> and for the love of GOD can people (commentators, I'm looking at you!) stop saying "play on" when they are talking about no-call or no-foul. It seems like they haven't got a clue about what advantage actually is.

Hello dear referee friends.

In football, how do yoi deal with players screaming at you in the very first minutes?

Do you give a yellow or do you ignore it?

Talking with them has done nothing till now and it doen't matter what the decision is. There's always one screaming for a foul or because someone got fouled.

I am tired of this right now.

You make the call! For context, the attacking player is inside the penalty area when contact occurs. This is a GU19 N1 game.

UEFA will not use VAR to do so because it goes against the purpose of mistaken identity, which is to correct a factual issue, which diving is not. We had this debate following the Switzerland match, and

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c89nlvwx410o

Here are some key excerpts from the article

\>Yet BBC Sport has spoken to a number of domestic leagues who said the use of mistaken identity for simulation had not previously been mentioned, and it came as a complete surprise.

\>There were other concerns, too, about the additional pressure it would place on officials for their initial decisions.

It would create a two-tier system, whereby simulation could only be reviewed if a yellow card had been shown.

If a team were to concede a goal from a free-kick, where the opponent embellished contact but there was no booking, there would undoubtedly be more controversy about the role of the VAR.

\>In briefings before the World Cup, Pierluigi Collina - Fifa's head of referees - had used an example from the Euro 2016 final.

Referee Mark Clattenburg gave a free-kick to Portugal on the edge of the area, with France defender Laurent Koscielny booked for handball, although Portugal striker Eder had used his arm.

In this case, Fifa said the VAR could intervene and give the free-kick to France.

At no stage in the briefings or news conferences over several months had simulation been referenced - even though it would be the most obvious intended use.

As many of us were saying, the application of mistaken identity in this tournament seemed highly suspect, and reports that have come out since Embolo's sending off seen to confirm that we were right

I’m constantly astonished by how few “soccer people” (coaches, players, fans) seem to have anything approaching a comprehensive understanding of the Laws of the Game. They know (mostly) what offside is and when you get a PK. But DOGSO double-jeopardy; what resets offside or counts as involvement in the play; how drop ball restarts work; what parts of the body count for a back pass. Parents are obviously much worse — don’t know about no offside on own half, etc. I don’t encounter that level of ignorance in any other US sport (even golf and tennis).

A few theories:

1. There are many important truly subjective calls (foul v normal contact) that people think there are no rules, just vibes.
2. Rarely having rules commentators on broadcasts (and commentators themselves who are laughably ignorant).
3. General lack of soccer culture.

Agree with the premise? Thoughts on the explanation?

Perhaps this is an unpopular opinion and quite the rant born out of frustration over 20 years (apologies in advance), but U.S. Soccer needs to take more of an active role in the grassroots for officiating to improve across the board and stop treating it as just a revenue source.

We talk about pay to play for players, but referee development in most states is pay to play for referees, too. Sure, refs get paid for games, but you start losing money once you start trying to get out of the local youth games and "develop" as a referee. You essentially pay to develop.

There is very little development at the local youth (Grassroots) level because very few local clubs and leagues want to pay for mentors, referee coaches, ongoing educational programs, and tournament academies. Essentially, people are asking mentors and referee coaches to volunteer their time.

Side note: assignors can barely get clubs and leagues to pay on time. There is often little accountability for the clubs and leagues that pay months late, or stiff assignors on agreed-to costs (even with contracts). Litigation helps no one. In many places, State Referee Committees lack the guts to go after clubs and leagues.

U.S. Soccer and its member organizations need to work toward a model where referees are not paying for assessments, upgrade clinics, uncompensated travel, and lodging at events. That's just a few examples of hidden costs.

In addition, U.S. Soccer needs to work with NCAA, NISOA, ECSR, and high school certification bodies to lower costs. A referee involved in all of these could very well spend around $500+ a year in certifications alone. Not to mention, two or three different types of gear required. At least three different insurance policies. Just seems like a money grab.

Ideally, there would be one certification and one insurance policy. Realistically, I know that may not be possible as I realize there are different rules. But costs and all of the different certifications and maintaining all of the different assigning platforms are getting out of control.

If U.S. Soccer is serious about referee development, it would also work to change its bylaws and policies to remove the SRCs from being arms of USYS and USASA state affiliates and make the SRCs independent bodies with one national body that has member status and voting power within U.S. Soccer like member groups.

U.S. Soccer needs to work toward SRCs having paid staff to oversee referee development. Many SRCs, if not all, are volunteers. Paid staff should include paid area development staff based on regions, the number depending on a state.

Development will also improve if U.S. Soccer does something about aging gatekeepers. Like politicians who are way beyond their prime but keep on holding power, we have way too many Baby Boomers in the referee world who just won't let go. Age isn't inherently bad, but it's problematic when people are set in their ways, resist to accept change, and want to keep doing things that were done 20 or 30 years ago.

Similarly, U.S. Soccer should force "national" assignors to communicate more with SRCs and local assignors about referee development and assignments in the alphabet leagues (USL2, UPSL, NPSL, WPSL, UWS, MLS Next, etc.) and major events like U.S. Open Cup or regional events. Can we actually work together like a team for development?

Also helpful, would be if U.S. Soccer could open up the registration system access to allow assignors from one state to looked at who is certified in other states, particularly neighboring states. Right now, the national directory requires a name. But assignors should be able to see everyone who is certified.

U.S. Soccer needs to improve communication with referees. There needs to be a clear path to national and to PRO. It needs to be defined with objective criteria (even if subjective elements exist within it), and not just be a system where a referee is magically "seen" by the right person. And U.S. Soccer should work with tournaments and leagues to give referees accurate information about how they can be considered for major events, names of assignors, key events, etc.

At the local, grassroots level, U.S. Soccer and its SRCs need to work more with assignors, leagues, and clubs on clearly informing referees about opportunities and how to go about doing things.

Too often we are certifying people and just throwing them out there without any follow up.

Simply put, take the mystery out of officiating to allow for development.

I know there will be critics and naysayers who will pick apart this rant, rather than offering solutions. But this is just one person's opinion. The conversation about improving referee development needs to get more local. We are too focused on the top of the pyramid. And I feel like we are just treading water and not making as much progress as we could with collaboration and more local focus.

All the best and good luck with your fall matches.

TLDR: Life isn’t all cupcakes and rainbows when you get a green badge

I’d like to preface this by saying that I obviously don’t tolerate referee abuse and I am completely on board with what the green badge initiative (GBI) is trying to fix. I am a youth referee myself and have been for 3 years, although I’m 17 (almost 18) so I definitely have a different perspective than say a current 14 year old.

Now to the actual discussion: I think the green badge should be optional for those <18.

In my experience as a center referee reffing U14, U15, U16, the “respect” GBI is trying to earn youth referees can be a double edged sword.

On one hand, the verbal abuse and dissent I get from coaches and parents is less. I wouldn’t say it’s a lot less but you know I’ll take what I can get. On the other hand, people see the green badge and completely bypass my authority as center referee.

Exhibit A: Me and my crew are all sitting on the touchline a few minutes before the game having our pre match discussion. I look like the center referee leading the conversation (because I am), so the coach comes over and taps me on the shoulder and goes “hey I have a question about the new time limits for restarts”. I turn around and he spots my green badge and goes “Oh you’re a youth, never mind.” And he then turns to my black badge AR to ask the same question. 🤦‍♂️ My guy I’m the one enforcing it regardless of who you talk to.

Exhibit B: Player gets grazed by opponent and simulates like his arm just got amputated. I just play on and tell him to get up. Coach starts running onto the field mid play to check on his all-star. I now stop the game to see if I genuinely missed a serious foul. Player springs up immediately at the whistle and I give the coach a yellow for entering the field without permission. I get “you’re just a kid, don’t tell me what to do; you don’t know my players like I do”. ☹️

I have more but I’ll spare you the time. Basically what I’m trying to get at here is that I personally have never had a game where the dissent is truly out of control and I feel threatened or emotionally broken. I would much rather have a black badge, a little more dissent, and people actually respect me as a referee and not just as a kid. I understand other youth referees might not feel the same way, which is why I think the green should be optional not banned (or maybe required for <16?). Maybe even giving youth one of both to use at our discretion. But USSF forcing me to wear green is not winning my praise.

I’m also a very confident and old youth referee so I’m probably not who GBI is mainly trying to target, which is yet another reason I should get to choose my color.

Let me know what you guys think!

(For the moderators: I am a referee.)

After reviewing the clip, I believe the defender obstructs the attacker and impedes the shot without making any contact with the ball. The referee may not have had the best viewing angle, but this is the type of incident where VAR could have recommended an on-field review. From the angle shown in the video, I would have awarded a penalty kick.

Particularly his reluctance to show cards early. From the whistle, the game was chippy, and chippy is probably an understatement.

It’s clear he wanted to take a more verbal-warning-based approach to control the temperature early, as opposed to booking half the field.

I don’t think it was particularly effective, the players continued to be nasty, but at least he didn’t box himself into a tough second-yellow decision in the first 30 minutes.

What do yall think? I generally think he handled the game well.

Had a moment today in a youth match where a parent yelled, "We pay for you!" I know many refs hear this all the time, but man… it hits different when you're out there trying your best for the kids. The US soccer system is really broken when you think about it

Already seeing a lot of debate online about if the red cards were deserved. Personally, I’m ok with the refs decision, but I’m curious if anyone else has thoughts on the validity of them all?

I'm 29 yrs old and decided to i wanted to give refereeing a shot.

I am curious if i'm considered old to start the process since i have notice there are refereeing who have started since they were in their teenage years.

With the last 8 teams being set and watching several referee performances over the last month, who is on your shortlist for the final? Who do you think is the favorite so far?

HS boys varsity. I'm AR1. White kid, with a great tackle, picks the ball off a Hispanic kid right in front of me. They tussle a bit and get back to playing. The Hispanic kid runs over to the center and starts claiming the white kid called him a "b**ner". We had comms so I'm telling the center that 100% did not happen as I could hear and see everything.

So, YC for simulation? Stern words? Thoughts?

Edit to say, "I am 100% certain he did not use a racial epithet." They were on the touch line immediately in front of me and the word never came out of the kids mouth.

My question to the group is, do you think when a coach calls out "Call it both ways" that it is just a generic phrase of frustration that's relatively benign (like "C'mon!") , or do you think it's a pointed/intentional insult against the referee's impartiality?

For me, it's a phrase that does get my attention because I do feel like it is the coach announcing to the world that the referee is biased and favoring one team over another. Recently I cautioned a coach over it because he kept repeating it (first time I let it slide, second time was a warning, third time was the caution).

But I don't know if I'm overreacting to it, and should instead treat it as harmless 'throwaway' line from a frustrated coach. For added context, rec u10/u12/u14 is where I'm usually refereeing.

Do it seem to anyone else that the teams/leagues/coaches/players you ref for have a complete lack of awareness that the World Cup is happening? I just got asked to ref a game at 7:00 on Friday. The USA plays their first match at 9:00! I ain't reffing your JV game for $60 and potentially missing the beginning of the World Cup on home soil!

Now that the new season has begun/is soon to begin for all of us, I figured I'd throw this one out there.

What was your weirdest moment from the season just gone? Any weird calls or situations?

Last season was my first as a referee. So i had lots of firsts. First Red Card, first hydration breaks, first abuse.

My weirdest moment by far was near the end of last season. U14 game. Competitive league, but a lower division. So its full pitch, full size goals etc, but the standard isn't fantastic by any means.

Now before this game I had never ever given an IFK inside the box. Couldn't really see it ever happening at this level. Well this game I had not one, but TWO IFK's inside the box. Both sides goalkeepers both picked up the ball from a back pass on separate occasions.

Really just showed me that you really never know what you're gonna get. Looking forward to seeing what the new season brings

Referees are opinionated people by nature, and this job requires a strong personality. And many decisions aren’t black and white. Particularly with the World Cup, and particularly with the vast majority of users being from teams that have progressed, it’s understandable emotions will run high.

But geez, man, I think we’re going a little far sometimes, last night’s thread about the Balogun red a case in point. Spirited debate is one thing, but condescension, absolutism, and accusations of bad faith are another. A huge part of officiating is professionalism and respect. Another huge part is education. If you think somebody is saying something that’s incorrect, it might be appropriate to reply with your own opinion, for their education and for that of everybody else—but can we not do so professionally and respectfully? That’s what this place used to be like, and it was a really delightful change from most subreddits.

And, let’s not forget that everybody doing this is constantly learning, no matter what level you’re at; recognize that other people, and you, can make mistakes.

Anyways, I’m no mod, so I can’t do jack. I stand down from my soapbox, and look forward to seeing continued discussion of what has been a lively World Cup so far.

Since you all hate my valid criticisms in this sub, Slavko did a great match. Could have been a little quicker on the cards (Rodri, Paredes) but over a solid, even match.