Wrong shirts for Refereeing!!

This covers not only the green and yellow shirts (which clearly
contravene Regulations) but also the black shirt with the white shoulder 'flash'.

Official Sports are, therefore, regrettably marketing something that cannot be worn in anything other than the FAPL, FL & FA Cup from R1 Proper onwards.

The FA is, I understand, contacting them to 'clarify the position'.
(Horse, stable door, bolt, perhaps!).

Clearly, if someone has already bought this kit, it will be difficult to ask for their money back and equally difficult for the SCFA to 'police' every match to ensure compliance. The pragmatic approach has got to be

* Make everyone know immediately that the kit is not to be worn thereby discouraging people from buying it in the first place

* Remind all promotion candidates and those officiating in County Cup ties that the kit is NOT to be worn and Assessors will comment adversely if it is.


I think we'd all agree that this is something we could all do without!!!!

FA Misconduct Reporting

This season has seen considerable change in the manner in which Referees at all levels of the game can report misconduct of players on the field of play.

The Football Association has recognised the technical opportunities available to many Referees to use IT whilst not detracting from a system in place for those referees who, for whatever reason, do not use IT as a form of communication.

From the start of the 2004-2005 Season, as an alternative to the traditional misconduct report forms, Referees will be able to report misconduct in the following ways:

1. Multi Caution match report form


2. Standard Misconduct Report form template

Multi Caution match report form

As many of you will be aware, Referees who caution players during a game are required to submit details of these cautions in duplicate on a standard misconduct report form.

With immediate effect, a new Multi Caution match report form has been developed and approved by The Football Association that permits all cautions from a fixture to be reported on one form.

Referees will only be required to complete 1 form and distribute just 1 copy to the appropriate Association giving details of the fixture, details of the player cautioned and code for the offence that has been committed, (i.e. C1 to C7). There is now no longer the requirement to give details of the offence or details of words used in relation to dissent by word or action.

Referees are reminded that in using this form the following guidance needs to be taken into consideration:

1. This form is to be used for Cautions only.


2. Players receiving 2 Cautions in a Game must be reported on the standard misconduct reporting form.


3. Players sent off or other reports of misconduct need to be reported individually on the standard misconduct report form.


4. A copy of the form needs to be sent to each County that is affected. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Referee to photocopy the form and send to each appropriate Association. However, you are required to still include the details of all of the cautions on 1 form.


5. To assist Associations in the administration of the misconduct, please include Team details on the form. (i.e. 1st, Reserves, U18, U17 etc).

This form is available from 2 main sources:

1. Any County Football Association


2. www.TheFA.com/Refereeing - a PDF version of the form is now available for you to download and print. In addition, an electronic version of the form, created in Microsoft Excel is also available, this will enable the Referee to complete the form electronically and submit to the appropriate Association by Email.

Standard Misconduct Report form

However, should Referees still wish to use the standard misconduct report form for reporting cautions individually, this will also be permitted. An electronic version of the Standard Misconduct report form has been created in Microsoft Excel and can be downloaded from www.TheFA.com/Refereeing . Again, this will enable the Referee to complete the form electronically and submit to the appropriate Association by Email.

Please note that only the approved templates may be used by Referees and not any personally designed electronic forms.

On-line Reporting

The FA has approved the development of an on-line misconduct report submission facility. All registered Referees will have the ability to enter misconduct reports online through either www.TheFA.com or an approved County website. These reports will be automatically submitted to the appropriate County Association, whilst a copy of the report will be saved in the Referees personal file where additional functionality, including the ability to update personal details directly through the system, is also planned. Further details of this will be available within the coming months.

It is hoped that Referees will benefit from these developments in an improved efficient reporting process.

Kind Regards

Mark Ives
County Business Development Manager