‘It can all end with one bad game’: the highs and lows of a World Cup referee
Relentless rise of VAR, new red card offences and more: those new World Cup rules in full
May 2026
Uefa will not follow Fifa’s lead on red cards for mouth-covering or walk-offs
Mbeumo handball decision was wrong, Howard Webb tells Nottingham Forest
Scottish FA criticises McInnes and media after referee requires police protection
Iheanacho’s late VAR penalty hands Celtic a dramatic comeback victory at Motherwell
Guardiola wants City players to raise their game rather than trust ‘flip of a coin’ officials
Howard Webb praises VAR process in ruling out West Ham equaliser against Arsenal
Premier League set to reject extended powers for VAR next season
West Ham to lodge complaint with referee chiefs over disallowed goal against Arsenal
VAR offers up Arsenal’s title-deciding moment for digital mess generation
Mikel Arteta’s relief as ‘brave’ VAR decision takes Arsenal closer to title
Choice of Afcon final referee for African Champions League final criticised
April 2026
Arteta left ‘incredibly fuming’ after VAR denies Arsenal penalty against Atlético
Mikel Arteta was furious that Arsenal were denied a penalty that could have given them a lead over Atlético Madrid after the first leg of the Champions League semi-final
The Audio Long Read
From the archive: the impossible job: inside the world of Premier League referees
This week, from 2023: players, pundits and fans complain bitterly that referees are getting worse each season – but is that fair?
By William Ralston. Read by Simon Darwen
Italian referee chief suspends himself over ‘sporting fraud’ allegations
Mikel Arteta criticises red card escapes for Newcastle’s Pope and City’s Khusanov
Bompastor again criticises refereeing after seeing red in Chelsea exit to Arsenal
March 2026
New survey finds 91% of fans believe football is better off without VAR
Rodri fined by FA but avoids ban over ‘referee has to be neutral’ comments
