Question Number: 35957

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/3/2025

RE: Competitive - league Under 14

Frank Bromfield of Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal South Africa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 35955

Hi there. I trust that you are well.
Thank you for your reply. It is highly appreciated. I take your advice at heart and will keep my cool. Just one more thing. Can a person do an online referee course using video analysis and then write a exam online. The reason I am asking is that I cannot get hold of South African Football Association. They don't replay my emails. They never answer their phones and this is such a big frustration.
Very kind regards.
Frank Bromfield

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Frank
It reads to me that beginners referee course in SA are looked after by the local football associations where they reside and the national association looks after progression. See these links

https://www.safa.net/news/how-to-become-a-registered-referee-under-safa/

https://www.safa.net/members/kwazulu-natal-members/

The best point of contact is local referees themselves so I would speak to the referee at your next game for direction. I get phone calls from perspective referees all the time after they are directed to me by a referee at a game.
Like in SA, local referees are the best points of contact rather than the Referee Dept in the national association

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Frank,
sorry to hear you're having so many issues?

I don’t know exactly what will accelerate your pathway to SAFA accreditation. Local, district, and national soccer bodies mirror many political organizations, a formal hierarchy layered with informal networks, personal agendas, and the ever-present pull of ego. Sometimes how the dynamics play out creates an environment where who you know can matter as much as how well you perform. National association at the top defines rules, grading systems, match assignments, and advancement pathways.

I find that at the grassroots levels whether you have 1 Game or 1000 games you could find that you’ll be treated the same. It doesn’t matter your district or region, town or country at each rung, decision-makers wield discretionary power, deciding who advances, who officiates marquee matches, and whose concerns get addressed.

If I might offer some practical strategies

Build local alliances - Attend matches regularly and introduce yourself to active referees. Volunteer for small roles—equipment setup, admin tasks—to cultivate visibility.
Seek multiple mentors - Don’t rely on a single contact diversify supporters across towns or age groups. - Offer to help experienced referees in exchange for advice.
Demonstrate commitment and professionalism - Arrive early, maintain impeccable kit, and submit game reports promptly. Showcase integrity in every match to build an unassailable reputation.
Provide constructive feedback -Frame questions and suggestions around “improving the association,” not personal grievances. - share success stories from other regions to inspire positive change.

Over time, consistent professionalism, deliberately cultivating relationships can help you break through gatekeeping barriers and can turn inherent flaws into navigable challenges rather than insurmountable roadblocks. Referee retention and standards suffer when talent feels undervalued or shut out. Just as it suffers just as much as it suffers from the dissent and abuse from the touch lines.

I hope you can find the inspiration I found within these 3 people below
Humility, integrity, courage!
These 3 characteristics comprise the essence of these 3 Individuals
Woman FIFA referee Kari Seitz set a high standard for women everywhere

Men’s FIFA referee Esse Baharmast my most honored mentor
The referee at the centre of World Cup storm - YouTube This should tell you all about what he is never mind the fact that there’s some incredible examples of both advantage and positioning

Men’s FIFA AR assistant referee Héctor Vergara his most outstanding feature was his positioning. I’ve never seen an AR run the lines better than this man. He made any centre referee he worked with a better official for the level of -TRUST- that he inspired

Referee.com Laws of the Game Test: multiple quizzes (4, 10, 20 or 50 questions) plus video-scenario tests ideal for U.S. Soccer Grade-8+ preparation. https://www.areferee.com/soccer.php

UEFA’s Laws of the Game Quiz: interactive IFAB-official quiz covering current law modifications and real-world match scenarios. https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0285-18e811030257-2425bb84080c-1000try-our-laws-of-the-game-quiz/

AskTheRef.com Soccer Referee Quizzes: volunteer-driven site offering a range of miscellaneous rule-drill quizzes for daily practice. https://AskTheRef.com.com/soccer-referee-quiz.asp

ProProfs Mini Soccer Practice Test #1: 20 multiple-choice questions focusing on restarts, throw-in procedures and in-play scenarios. https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=soccer-practice-test-1

SAY Soccer Online Referee Tests: Entry Level (EL-7): 50-question exam intermediate Level (IL-4): 60-question exam covering offsides and difficult restarts Both available online contact bbegley@saysoccer.org to register. https://www.saysoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=733804

I suggest delving into official IFAB Laws of the Game PDF and FIFA Interpretations Guide (free on IFAB’s website) for deeper context. You could try joining global referee forums—like /r/Referees on Reddit—and watching Professional Referee Organization training videos on YouTube to sharpen your practical understanding
Cheers