Level: Pro Adult

https://youtu.be/FyNm0Io2aIk Please have a look here. 2 penalties. 1. was the first a penalty? 2. was the second a penalty 3. was there a foul on the yellow player (Domagoj Vida) before the "handball"

Level: Grassroots Under 12

We have recently come against an opponent who in the last match had a coach located on all 4 sidelines at grassroots level.

We are playing them again soon in a cup semi final and feel this was unfair and would like to prevent it happening again in the upcoming fixture.

I assume the manager should be restricted to one sideline as a technical area.

Are we within our rights to insist they stay to a designated technical area?

Level: Ameture Adult

How close to the touchline does the taker have to be when taking a throw in.

During the AEK vs Olympiacos match (Feb 1st, 2026), an incident occurred off-the-ball where Daniel Podence appeared to strike Lazaros Rota with a closed fist/excessive force. The referee did not see the incident, but the 4th official reportedly recommended only a yellow card. Given that IFAB Law 12 defines 'Violent Conduct' as an action with excessive force or brutality when not challenging for the ball, shouldn't the VAR (Rob Dieperink) have mandated an On-Field Review for a direct Red Card? Does a 'Yellow Card' recommendation by the 4th official preclude the VAR from intervening for a 'Serious Missed Incident' of this nature? and In the same match, a penalty was awarded via VAR in the 90+16 minute for a challenge by Moukoudi on Andre Luiz. The referee initially waved play on, but was called to the monitor by the VAR. My question regarding the VAR Protocol: For an incident that is subjective and involves minimal contact in a crowded area, does the 'Clear and Obvious Error' threshold change during the final minutes of a derby? Was the intervention consistent with the directive to keep the 'bar high' for VAR interference, or did the VAR overstep by re-refereeing a subjective physical challenge?

Level: High amateur in Brazil Adult

A violent conduct foul was committed after the whistle has blown to end the first half and not one referee saw it. The VAR wasn't working either. Can the referee look at a spectator's cell phone, see the actual foul, then send off the player for violent conduct?

Sincerely,
Peter

Can an outfield player wear gloves with grips to gain an advantage when taking long throw ins?

Level: Rec Adult

Hello fellow refs- I have a question about the need to touch the ball when shielding the ball.
I read an article in *Referee Magazine* February 2026 issue, written by Joe Manjone, an AskTheRef panel official, entitled *Shoves and Shields, What*s Legal for Preventing Playing the Ball*

In the article, referee Joe Manjone says:
*To determine if a player is shielding, the ball must be within playing distance. At the same time, the player must have gained control of the ball through CONTACT with the player*s body. Most often, this control comes from the feet*

I have not been paying attention whether the player shielding touches the ball or not, only if they COULD TOUCH the ball (playing distance).

IFAB LOTG 2025/26 12.2, under *Impeding the progress of an opponent without contact*
says:
*A player may shield the ball by taking a position between an opponent and the
ball if the ball is within playing distance and the opponent is not held off with
the arms or body.*

NFHS Soccer 2025-26 12.3.4.b says:
*A player may legally place the body between opponents and the ball (shielding) provided the ball is within playing distance.*

Neither mentions the requirement to have a touch on the ball to shield legally.

Advice? Thanks!

Level: Competitive Adult

Reading a review of a recent EPL match it said that a player accidentally handled a shot going into the goal. For this a penalty kick was awarded and a yellow card shown. Surely if the ball just strikes a defender it calls into question if its a penalty and why would he receive a caution. Surely the very word caution implies not to do it again when if the ball has merely struck the player he could in theory get a red card when it happens again with no intent whatsoever

In nearly every game I watch we have the charade of a goalkeeper - usually from a team that's a bit under the cosh, pretending he's picked up an injury such as a strain or cramp & just sitting on the floor to be attended to. We then have the further charade of a physio running on with his kitbag knowing full well there's no injury,whilst the referee stands over the pair of them - also knowing there's no injury. Meanwhile the rest of the team go for a chat in the dugout. The goalkeeper is obviously aware that he doesn't need to leave the field of play afterwards too.I know the time is added on but that's not the point - the point is it's blatant cheating - what are the powers of be going to do about it? Is anything in the pipeline to stamp it iut? It fragments the game & makes for a poorer spectacle for the paying public.

Level: comp High School

Can a player who has not touched the ball shepherd the ball out of bounds by obstructing another player?