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# Referees

This year
2023
Man in the Middle
Anthony Nash: Referees have an impossible job - they need help, not social media pile-ons
The standard expected from officials cannot be delivered as things stand.
4.6k
5
Jun 14th 2023, 8:45 AM
Abuse
‘People are getting phone calls in the middle of the night… A lot of that goes unnoticed’
Gerard Perry and Sean Slattery discuss the various challenges and worrying instances of violence involving referees.
8.7k
0
Jun 4th 2023, 8:30 AM
OFFICIAL
Referees confirmed for Champions Cup round-of-16 clashes
The matchups include Leinster v Ulster and Cell C Sharks v Munster Rugby.
6.1k
4
Mar 21st 2023, 1:48 PM
Last year
2022
var
Referees ‘made to look foolish’ by Premier League’s usage of VAR
West Ham and Newcastle had goals controversially disallowed on Saturday following checks.
5.0k
4
Sep 5th 2022, 1:50 PM
Mitigation
URC ref boss says there's too much inconsistency with high tackle decisions
EPCR and the URC will hold a workshop next week as they look to nail down a clear message.
4.7k
6
Apr 21st 2022, 9:17 AM
Match Officials
'Do we come down hard on the referees? Yes, we have very honest chats'
The URC’s head of match officials, Tappe Henning, has been busy since joining in December.
8.1k
6
Apr 20th 2022, 7:00 PM
Match Officials
Peyper and Gardner among referees for Ireland's Six Nations clashes
The IRFU’s Andrew Brace, Frank Murphy, Chris Busby, Joy Neville, and Brian MacNeice are also involved.
4.2k
3
Jan 17th 2022, 4:30 PM
All time
Sport
Two-thirds of referees leave within two years over abuse, FAI says
An Oireachtas committee heard evidence from Ireland’s largest sporting organisations about the abuse that referees face.
9.5k
31
Dec 1st 2021, 6:30 PM
shortage
Munster hope to resolve refereeing dispute 'as a matter of urgency'
The Munster Association of Referees has issues with the Branch’s proposed governance changes.
15.6k
8
Nov 9th 2021, 4:18 PM
Ref Justice
‘A sad day for football’: Dublin youth league fixtures cancelled following referee abuse
550 Dublin schoolboy and schoolgirl games to be cancelled in response to ‘constant abuse and threatening behaviour’.
51.1k
50
Nov 8th 2021, 4:08 PM
on the whistle
IRFU refs Brace and Murphy appointed to European semi-final clashes
Nigel Owens and Mike Adamson will be in charge of the other two fixtures.
5.1k
0
Sep 22nd 2020, 11:27 AM
Taking Charge
Referees appointed for Leinster and Ulster Champions Cup quarter-finals
EPCR has confirmed the officiating line-ups.
6.1k
1
Sep 8th 2020, 1:26 PM
Men in Black
Refs chief on Clifford's red and why more time should've been played at end of Meath-Mayo
Willie Barrett discusses the weekend’s time-keeping issues and David Clifford’s controversial red card.
45.9k
32
Feb 10th 2020, 9:27 PM
Referees
Peyper apologies for 'inappropriate' photo as Owens and Garcès get semi-finals
The South African referee was not considered for selection this weekend.
11.1k
12
Oct 22nd 2019, 2:36 AM
heating up
All Blacks name strong XV as Hansen accuses Erasmus of pressuring referee
The Kiwis have gone for Ryan Crotty and Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield.
12.6k
16
Sep 19th 2019, 7:29 AM
decisions
World Rugby aims for consistency with new high tackle framework
Owen Farrell’s shoulder charge against South Africa last November should have seen him yellow-carded.
8.3k
17
May 27th 2019, 9:55 AM
Men in Black
'We have to protect the head' - GAA referees will crack down on high tackles this summer
Officials will be less forgiving for any tackles around head area over the coming months.
5.5k
4
May 15th 2019, 5:44 PM
The Breakdown
'If a clear out is illegal then we need to referee that and get it out of the game'
Nigel Owens says it is up to the ‘guardians of the game’ to ensure players entering rucks dangerously are punished.
12.1k
49
Apr 8th 2019, 5:00 PM
heated debate
'It's not surprising. People generally are sceptical of change. That's true in any walk of life.'
The new rules for Gaelic football have sparked plenty reaction.
3.8k
6
Nov 27th 2018, 6:01 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
44
Nov 16th 2018, 2:14 PM
No Show
'We paid €650 for a bus to Galway and no linesmen showed up. It's a complete lack of respect'
Galway and Limerick played their final WNL game of the season on Sunday, but a goalkeeping coach and another local man had to act as the referee’s assistants.
40.5k
20
Nov 2nd 2018, 8:36 AM
sideshow
All-Ireland hurling final ref Owens 'can understand' James McGrath's outrage after snub
‘I would have been upset if I didn’t get the call,’ the Wexford man said.
10.7k
9
Oct 16th 2018, 4:25 PM
trend
Ball-carriers, beware! Clampdown on the leading forearm/elbow continues
Scarlets centre Kieron Fonotia has been banned for three weeks.
13.4k
13
Oct 9th 2018, 6:44 PM
Whistleblowers
How the Pro14 is aiming to bring about 'world-class' refereeing
Greg Garner, the Pro14′s elite referee manager, explains their five-year plan.
14.4k
48
Oct 7th 2018, 7:00 AM
bad officiating
Despite all the technology in the world, NFL referees continue to be terrible
2018 is proving to be a great season except in one area, writes Steve O’Rourke.
9.8k
3
Oct 1st 2018, 3:56 PM
Try: Yes or No?
What role should the TMO play in rugby? A key question for the sport
World Rugby expressed its unhappiness with the current situation in July.
8.5k
16
Sep 16th 2018, 9:00 AM
on the whistle
Munster, Leinster and Ulster set for French refs in first round of Champions Cup
Romain Poite, Pascal Gaüzère and Jérôme Garcès are first up for the Irish provinces.
4.9k
2
Sep 13th 2018, 3:23 PM
Jackal
'That's where you're getting so much punishment - three massive free shots'
Sean O’Brien is making his way back from a shoulder injury and wants jackaling players to be protected.
33.8k
15
Aug 29th 2018, 12:00 PM
Men in Black
Here are the 18 football and 10 hurling referees for the 2018 championship
The GAA has released its panel of officials for the summer.
17.3k
3
Apr 12th 2018, 10:00 AM
Men in the Middle
Owens to ref Munster, Leinster get Garcès, and Poite in charge for Connacht
EPCR has confirmed the refereeing appointments for the European quarter-finals.
6.5k
15
Feb 28th 2018, 12:17 PM
Interview
Lions 10 Johnny Sexton proving his doubters wrong once again
Warren Gatland turned to the Ireland out-half in the Lions’ time of need and he delivered.
32.4k
41
Jul 7th 2017, 8:00 AM
Men in Black
Cormac Reilly back in mix to referee football championship after being left out last year
The GAA announce their list of officials for this summer’s Gaelic football and hurling championships.
7.4k
2
May 9th 2017, 4:09 PM
Analysis
Referees not learning from Coleman incident and more Premier League talking points
There were some ill-tempered moments in today’s Merseyside Derby.
9.7k
15
Apr 1st 2017, 9:24 PM
on the whistle
Peyper, Garcès and Poite to referee Lions' Tests against All Blacks
World Rugby have also confirmed the match officials for Ireland’s summer tour.
5.9k
18
Mar 23rd 2017, 4:22 PM
Appointments
Ex-Ireland captain Joy Neville to take charge of potential Women's Six Nations decider
Helen O’Reilly and Simon McDowell will also be on duty during the Championship in 2017.
3.9k
2
Dec 20th 2016, 5:23 PM
It's Just Not Working
'The black card has been a failure for the association in all respects' - Tyrone official hits out
Strong words of criticism here for the disciplinary rule.
3.7k
8
Dec 8th 2016, 11:23 AM
Better late than never
Premier League running secret trials for video referees
Secret non-live trials using video technology to assess refereeing decisions have been conducted in 12 games in the top flight this season.
4.3k
6
Nov 17th 2016, 10:40 AM
Interview
Eamonn O'Hara blasts 'pathetic' refereeing as blight on Gaelic football
And the former Sligo footballer believes the introduction of the mark will do little to change the style of play that is bemoaned by so many.
10.6k
13
Apr 17th 2016, 8:00 AM
Whistleblowers
Lacey gets Challenge semi with Owens and Poite in charge for Champions Cup
EPCR have announced the referees for the European semi-finals weekend.
4.3k
7
Apr 14th 2016, 5:02 PM
law book
World Rugby has confirmed more fascinating law trials for 2016
The offside line will be one metre back from a new ‘breakdown,’ with two referees on the pitch.
18.6k
46
Jan 5th 2016, 1:36 PM
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