# Referee

All time

# Ref

'Anything can happen in four years, so I just want to take this opportunity in Japan'

Andrew Brace is the only IRFU match official involved in the upcoming World Cup.

11.5k

Aug 31st 2019, 9:00 AM

# Controversy

FAI hit back at claims they are not doing enough to stamp out violence against referees

20-year-old official Harry McCann said an U13 manager attempted “to strike me” in a game on Saturday.

9.6k

Jun 24th 2019, 1:11 PM

# World Cup countdown

‘They weren't expecting a female referee. They said, 'Hello, Michael!’ I was like, no, my name's Michelle’

Michelle O’Neill became the first Irish woman to referee at a World Cup four years ago. This month in France she will officiate at her second finals.

46.3k

Jun 2nd 2019, 9:30 PM

# Unhappy

'The worst thing for me is the referee had his whistle in his mouth... And he took it back out'

John Cotter was frustrated after seeing his side concede a late equaliser.

9.8k

Jun 1st 2019, 6:00 AM

# Allegiance

Premier League referee Mike Dean celebrates as Tranmere prevail

Micky Mellon’s side will face Newport County in the final of the League Two play-offs.

8.0k

May 14th 2019, 9:50 AM

# on the whistle

Garcès appointed to referee Leinster's Champions Cup final clash

The Frenchman will be in charge of the decider against Saracens in Newcastle.

8.3k

Apr 25th 2019, 3:25 PM

# Fuming

Furious Pochettino confronts referee Mike Dean after defeat at Burnley

The Spurs boss took exception to some of today’s officiating, including the decision to award a corner which led to Burnley’s opening goal.

14.7k

Feb 23rd 2019, 3:19 PM

# On the rise

'It's something special when you prove someone wrong' - Joy Neville

Limerick woman Joy Neville has proven herself as a top-class referee.

8.4k

Feb 21st 2019, 5:29 PM

# rossies roar

13 yellow, 4 black and one red card shown as Roscommon retain FBD League title

Donie Smith hit 0-8 for the winners against Galway.

21.3k

Jan 20th 2019, 3:42 PM

# top of his game

Cork's Alan Kelly named MLS Referee of the Year for third time in four years

The 43-year-old served as a League of Ireland referee for 15 years but moved to the USA in 2014.

5.1k

Dec 1st 2018, 10:34 AM

# Mullingar Town

Four men released in soccer referee assault investigation

The men were released in the early hours of this morning.

13.8k

Nov 29th 2018, 1:09 PM

# Sanctioned

40-year bans for Mullingar Town players who attacked referee

A spectator who was involved in the assault on Daniel Sweeney was already serving a life-time suspension from playing.

38.9k

Nov 23rd 2018, 11:16 AM

# Nice Touch

Van Dijk explains why he consoled referee at the end of Germany draw

The Netherlands captain embraced the official as he had recently lost his mother.

11.7k

Nov 20th 2018, 12:41 PM

# statement

'A black day for our club' - Mullingar Town apologise for attack on referee after soccer match

Daniel Sweeney was hospitalised following the game in Westmeath.

27.3k

Nov 19th 2018, 12:13 PM

# daniel sweeney

Possible lifetime ban to be brought in for people who assault referees

A new tiered system of sanctions is set to be introduced.

16.2k

Nov 16th 2018, 2:14 PM

# Not in the rulebook

Referee suspended for using 'rock, paper, scissors' instead of the coin toss

The English FA has suspended official David McNamara after his actions in a WSL game between Manchester City and Reading.

8.7k

Nov 14th 2018, 4:17 PM

# horseleap

Referee who was assaulted at football game says he forgives those who attacked him

The FAI has begun an investigation into the attack.

32.6k

Nov 13th 2018, 7:56 PM

# Hang Up The Whistle

Irish referee Lacey to retire at the end of the season and take up new role with IRFU

The Tipperary native will be involved in mentoring the next generation of Irish referees.

9.5k

Nov 9th 2018, 1:17 PM

# Man in black

Premier League referee quits aged 32 due to 'change in his personal circumstances'

Regarded as one of the finest officials in the English game, Bobby Madley has decided to retire.

28.5k

Aug 17th 2018, 1:13 PM

# Man in the Middle

Wexford's Owens to take charge of Limerick-Galway All-Ireland hurling final

Owens was in charge for the 2015 decider between Kilkenny and Galway.

9.6k

Aug 7th 2018, 5:24 PM

# Opinion

Will Russia 2018 be remembered as the World Cup that revolutionised fair play?

VAR was introduced for the first time in the tournament’s history.

4.5k

Jul 22nd 2018, 9:30 AM

# Controversy

Former Premier League referee reveals role in deliberate booking scam

Mark Halsey, who retired at the end of the 2012/13 season, told the story on CNN Sport.

9.9k

Jun 28th 2018, 4:09 PM

# COnnacht final

Galway criticise appointment of former Mayo minor manager as referee for Connacht final

A statement said the appointment of an ex-Mayo minor manager for Sunday’s Connacht final was a gross error of judgement.

9.5k

Jun 21st 2018, 10:38 PM

# Explainer

Were Ireland unfairly treated last night or was the referee just adhering to the rules?

Colin O’Brien’s side suffered a controversial penalty kick loss to tournament favourites Holland.

43.4k

May 15th 2018, 8:04 PM

# bookable offence

French referee who kicked footballer in the leg during Ligue 1 game has ban doubled

Ligue 1 referee Tony Chapron lost his appeal for kicking Diego Carlos during a match against PSG.

6.5k

Mar 23rd 2018, 5:24 PM

# Oops

Watt's my name? Ex-Arsenal player gets red card rescinded after ref's blunder

Sanchez Watt was sent off after the official mistook his name for dissent.

8.4k

Mar 7th 2018, 12:20 PM

# chaotic scenes

Controversy as huge flag blocks VAR camera, allowing offside goal to stand

There was mass confusion in Portugal last night.

7.9k

Feb 7th 2018, 11:30 AM

# stepping away

Four-time All-Ireland hurling final referee Brian Gavin hangs up his whistle

The Offaly man has retired from inter-county refereeing.

8.7k

Jan 10th 2018, 6:00 PM

# Soul-searching

Mark Clattenburg claims he quit refereeing because of Jose Mourinho

The referee says he was subject of a tirade from the Manchester United manager after a game at Stoke in January

15.0k

Dec 6th 2017, 8:06 AM

# Man in the Middle

Referee Clattenburg admits allowing Spurs to 'self-destruct' and lose the title

Tottenham’s clash with Chelsea proved key in handing the Premier League to Leicester City in 2016.

12.6k

Dec 4th 2017, 1:25 PM

# David McHugh

Referee launches court action against Irish Rugby Football Union over dismissal

McHugh had held the role of Referee Performance Manager.

32.5k

Nov 1st 2017, 8:04 PM

# Sanctioned

Ronan O'Gara handed 10-week touchline ban for remarks made to Top 14 referee

Racing 92 have also been fined €15,000.

32.1k

Oct 19th 2017, 12:00 PM

# It's Official

Kiwi refs appointed to Ireland's opening November Tests

Meanwhile, Frank Murphy will run the line for Wales’ biggest games next month.

5.2k

Oct 13th 2017, 10:55 AM

# Breaking New Ground

More history to be made by Joy Neville as she'll take charge of men's international

The former Ireland back row will become one of the first female referees to oversee a men’s international next month.

6.6k

Sep 27th 2017, 10:06 AM

# Man in black

Tipperary native Fergal Horgan appointed as All-Ireland hurling final referee

“I’m looking forward to it massively, it’s the pinnacle of every referee’s career to do the All-Ireland,” Horgan said.

8.0k

Aug 17th 2017, 4:29 PM

# Man in the Middle

'Somebody would want to explain the advantage rule to him because he didn’t seem to know it'

Tipperary boss Liam Kearns questioned the performance of referee Paddy Neilan.

15.0k

Jul 15th 2017, 8:22 PM

# Scrum Debate

New Zealand media whip up scrum frenzy but Gatland defends French ref

Mathieu Raynal was dubbed a ‘villain’ after the Lions beat the Crusaders.

13.5k

Jun 11th 2017, 2:29 PM

# straight Talk

Sulley Muntari accuses referee who sent him off of lacking 'balls'

The Pescara midfielder has seen his one-match ban rescinded on appeal, after he challenged racist abuse aimed at him.

4.1k

May 7th 2017, 4:56 PM

# Disgrace

Sickening cheap-shot punch in French rugby league broke referee's jaw

Forget rugby, there’s no place in any sport for players reacting like this.

27.0k

Apr 28th 2017, 10:33 AM

# Geezer

Kieran McGeeney banned for 12 weeks over incident with official - reports

The Armagh manager allegedly had a verbal altercation with Joe McQuillan.

5.7k

Apr 26th 2017, 10:50 AM