Referees' Performances | 2025/26

[The Future’s Blue!]

Mark Halsey was diagnosed with a terminal illness so decided to tell all
The media pretty much ignored/buried what he had to say, which included him being told to alter his match reports

Wasn’t that Neville, who first took interest in it but then realised that he was extending the coverage so completely cut him off?

We can focus on certain things in the past, the reality is that it’s happening today, right in front of our faces.

 

[IrishBloodEnglishHeart]

Mark Halsey was diagnosed with a terminal illness so decided to tell all
The media pretty much ignored/buried what he had to say, which included him being told to alter his match reports

Told how many corners to give in certain matches as well. Im sure he moved to Spain after he released that book..

 

[BlueNomad]

Kevin Lynch is a brilliant storyteller, whom I’ve seen a few times in YouTube clips. He talks about a game in Italy where they wanted to give the officials Armani and cars!

 

[richardtheref]

It’s well known, mate, and has been published in many of the mainstream media. They don’t have to sign as they are free to do what they want, but part of the financial package they receive seems to be very lucrative, where they can’t talk about ‘certain’ things.

They are not allowed to reveal var discussions, details of their assessments. Once they are no longer employed by pgmol they are open to discuss anything.
As someone else said about Lynch telling folk about the European bribes if they signed a non disclosure he wouldn't be able to do this.

 

[AirbagsOptionalTheReturn]

Arsenal aren't going to know what's hit them next season when the Premier League doesn't need a new name on the trophy. Only concern is if the rags make a good start next season (watch for their opening 5 or 6 games when the fixtures come out).

Every VAR error in 2025-26 Premier League: How Arsenal escaped red cards and penalties

Arsenal and Chelsea were the biggest beneficiaries of video assistant referee and on-field errors this season.

www.bbc.co.uk

It’s a crock of crap though isn’t it. That article is based on a report where I think only things that were deemed worthy of a VAR review are listed. If they were doing the job right, most of the Arses goals set pieces could and should have been reviewed by VAR. I am not saying all of them would have been chalked off but I am pretty sure a large number would have.
What will be more interesting next season is UEFA guidelines on set pieces and how to ref them, I am sure they will focus on holding and playing the man not the ball. If this is done right we should have a much better spectacle moving forward

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

I have zero confidence or expectation that these rules will be consistently or impartially applied. Not a chance of fair play.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

I have zero confidence or expectation that these rules will be consistently or impartially applied. Not a chance of fair play.

PiGMOL, the FA 'n the PL just go with the flow. Once upon a time yer were to be booked for not retreating ten yards, now they don't even bother about ten yards. The handball law has been trashed beyond what can ever be called credible, added time is an on-ground mystery, and how many fair play handshakes has Gabriel been involved in this season only to follow up with the usual brand of rough-house and shithousery which has consistently avoided the sanction mandated by the LotG?

 

[Bluemoon dan]

Kevin Lynch is a brilliant storyteller, whom I’ve seen a few times in YouTube clips. He talks about a game in Italy where they wanted to give the officials Armani and cars!

Those keep popping up on my feed as well. The one he tells about the pie man at Rochdale is brilliant!

 

[SanPellegrini]

Not sure if shared before (and not exactly news to us) but good to see it being laid out clearly for once: