LONDON – A referee sent off five players in the dressing rooms after a post-match brawl at an English League Two (fourth tier) game between Bradford City and promotion-chasing Crawley Town. “I can’t believe this has happened,” Bradford manager Phil Parkinson, who had three players shown red cards after the 2-1...

“A person is not given integrity. It results from the relentless pursuit of honesty at all times.” – Anonymous Perhaps no other referee in history experienced the solo pursuit of honesty that Esse Baharmast faced in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.  He faced global scrutiny for a critical decision that initially portrayed him as a...

Referee David Gantar blows the whistle to stop play during the San Jose Earthquakes and DC United MLS match on July 3, 2010. (PROREFEREE/Jason Sholl) Retaliation fouls may occur from a build-up of frustration over time, but they often occur immediately after contact where a player perceives such contact to be a foul. There is a higher risk for quick retaliation...

Referee Edvin Jurisevic awards a penalty kick during the Chivas USA and San Jose Earthquakes MLS match on April 24, 2010. (PROREFEREE/Jason Sholl) When faced with a challenge in the Penalty Area, the Referee must make a decision regarding not only foul or no-foul, but whether misconduct has occurred. If a foul has been committed by a defender within the...

CULVER CITY, CA – Over 125 referees attended a special presentation by FIFA dignitary Peter Mikkelsen on July 19, 2010 in Culver City, CA.  Sponsored by SoccerOne (www.soccerone.com) with a generous meeting space, refreshments, and a raffle for referee supplies, the event came on the heels of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa....