Section
Every Rules & refereeing story we publish, newest first.
Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has written to FIFA president Gianni Infantino requesting an independent investigation into plans to bring private investment into the World Cup and into how Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case was handled. The move piles more pressure on Infantino, who still intends to stand for re-election next March.
InfoBlaugrana
·5 min read
FIFA has informed national associations of the amounts it will pay to clubs across all six confederations for training and education of players. The classification of each club into one of four categories determines the payment it will receive for every year a footballer spends in its academy.
InfoBlaugrana·5 min read
Al-Taawoun have been fined nearly £20,000 and ordered to play two home games behind closed doors after their fans chanted the name of Diogo Jota during a Saudi Pro League match against Al-Hilal. Rúben Neves, a former Wolves and Portugal teammate of the late forward, looked to the sky as the chants were heard. Cristiano Ronaldo had called for lifetime stadium bans for those supporters.
Javi·5 min read
The Arsenal defender caught the Chelsea goalkeeper in the head during their Premier League meeting at the Emirates Stadium. An independent panel has now ruled that the officials made the correct call by not sending off the Brazilian.
Natilla·5 min read
Erling Haaland's goal in the Manchester derby remains one of the most controversial moments of the Premier League season. The VAR failed to spot that Enzo Fernandez was three yards offside before attempting to head the ball. The review lasted only a few seconds and ended with Manchester City beating Manchester United 1-0.
Javi·7 min read
Wednesday marks exactly two years since the independent commission began examining the more than 100 charges brought against Manchester City by the Premier League. Leading sports barrister Nick De Marco has described the lack of a verdict as an “incredible delay.” The club has always strongly denied any wrongdoing.
varela·6 min read
Keith Andrews has called on officials to take control of matches again instead of hiding behind VAR, after an admitted error allowed Erling Haaland's derby winner to stand. The Brentford head coach described the decision as pretty alarming and believes refereeing has suffered from technology removing human judgement.
Matt·5 min read
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews criticised the growing influence of VAR and called for referees to make decisions naturally again. His comments came after his side beat Reading in the Carabao Cup and followed a weekend dominated by the controversy over Erling Haaland's winning goal in the Manchester Derby.
Javi·5 min read
The Saudi Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has ordered Al Taawoun to play its next two home matches behind closed doors and pay a fine of 100,000 riyals. The punishment follows offensive chants directed at Al Hilal midfielder Rúben Neves, whose close friend Diogo Jota died in 2025. Fans chanted Jota's name during Saturday's league match.
Matt·5 min read
The RFEF has published episode 4 of 'Tiempo de Revisión' with six incidents from the first and second divisions selected through artificial intelligence. The Technical Committee of Referees acknowledges that Osasuna should have been given a penalty for an action on Raúl in LaLiga matchday 4.
Natilla·4 min read