Ifab rule change could allow VAR to adjudicate on corners at 2026 World Cup
Ifab is exploring the possibility of allowing tournaments to run their own trials of new rules, which could lead to VAR being used to adjudicate on corner kicks at next summer’s World Cup
November 2025
I’d rather Van Dijk’s goal stood, but it wasn’t a clear and obvious error to deny him
Chris Foy
Liverpool contact PGMO over Van Dijk’s disallowed goal at Manchester City
October 2025
Long-throw trend prompts Ifab to consider time limit for taking throw-ins
Football’s lawmakers are considering taking action against the most fashionable trend in the game: long throws
Referees at Manchester United and Brentford got heat but there is much to learn from the decisions
Chris Foy
Incidents in both games generated a lot of noise, not least the yellow card for Dorgu when Minteh was running towards goal
‘Refereeing is addictive’: Emily Heaslip on going from footballer to official and dealing with abuse
The Women’s Super League referee didn’t think a career behind the whistle was for her. She tells Suzanne Wrack why she changed her mind, to mark World Mental Health Day
September 2025
Referees are playing their part in making Premier League enjoyable to watch
Chris Foy
There have been a few errors in the first five game weeks but also plenty of positive officiating, writes former referee
Everton’s Grealish and Moyes hit out at referee over stoppage time
David Moyes, the Everton manager, was unhappy with the amount of second-half stoppage time in their 2-1 loss to Liverpool – ‘three minutes was very strange’
Disallowing Fulham goal at Chelsea was wrong, admits referees’ chief Howard Webb
Howard Webb has described the decision to disallow Josh King’s goal against Chelsea as a ‘misjudgement’ by the match officials
August 2025
Marco Silva slams ‘unbelievable’ VAR decisions in Fulham’s defeat at Chelsea
João Pedro and Fernández fire Chelsea to win against Fulham after VAR drama
Grassroots football will trial cooling-off periods to tackle rise in bad behaviour
Premier League referees will award more penalties for holding, Webb says
July 2025
The evolution of referees: speed tests, data, psychologists and superfoods
PGMO puts its officials through their paces on the Costa Blanca and offers an insight into what goes on off the pitch
June 2025
From the Guardian archive
Association football: offside law amendment passed – archive, 1925
Offside law changed after Swedish third-tier club’s pressure pays off
May 2025
Awoniyi’s injury should lead to a rethink over flawed offside protocol
Jacob Steinberg
Wenger wants to fix VAR offsides but broken handball rule is the real problem
Max Rushden
April 2025
James Tarkowski should have been sent off against Liverpool, admits PGMOL
Arne Slot admits he ‘hates’ offside rule that allowed Liverpool’s derby winner
