National RA Event News

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Latest Updates on Events:

  • Obviously the Eve of Final Rally did not take place 0n 22 May
  • Development weekend (July 2020) has been cancelled
  • National RA AGM will take place on 4 July 2020 (Zoom meeting

The email from the RA is detailed below:

 

I trust you are all keeping well during this unprecedented period of national lockdown.

At this time of the year, we are usually reflecting on the end of the current season and already preparing for the next one  –  but these are far from normal times.

Since March, we have sadly lost a number of RA Members to Covid-19, and we are aware of some others who are continuing to battle against this terrible disease.  During this extraordinary period, The RA has been supporting those of you who are in need, and will continue to do so.

On Friday 22nd May 2020 we were due to hold our annual Eve of Final Rally, but for obvious reasons this has now been postponed and is highly unlikely to be held in its current format this year.  If and when the 2020 FA Cup Final is played, we will work with our stakeholders to arrange a suitable presentation to the Match Officials involved.  We anticipate that the Rally will return to its normal format and venue in 2021.

Our flagship event, the annual Development Weekend, was due to be held over the weekend of Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th July 2020.  Because of continuing regulations affecting the venue at DeVere Staverton, the event has now been unavoidably postponed until 2021, details of which will be provided next season.  For those of you who have already paid to attend this year, our Events Team will be arranging all necessary refunds in due-course.  They can be contacted via events@the-ra.org , but we would ask you to please be patient whilst these repayments are activated.

The RA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will still take place as planned on Saturday 4th July 2020 at 3:00pm, but it will be held via the virtual platform of “Zoom”.  We will be sending out AGM papers, plus how to get involved, in the next few weeks.

I can confirm that postponement of the Eve of Final Rally and the Development Weekend comes without any financial impacts to the RA in any way.  In particular, I would like to take the opportunity to thank Reg Pullen and his Treasury Team for their diligence in overseeing the various contracts and negotiations involved, which for these 2020 events all began back in 2019.

During recent months, a number of LRAs have begun holding “virtual” Branch Meetings, which have been highly successful  –  please keep up the good work in showing what the RA can provide even in a period of football lockdown.

One final but important request!  Can all LRAs (and CRAs if appropriate) please ensure that Head Office has the correct current details for your principal Officers, such as Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, ahead of important announcements going out shortly regarding reduced subscription rates for NRA membership in 2020-2021 season.

And to all those RA members who are doing great things within the NHS, working in Care Homes, or providing other essential services:

On behalf of the Association and the Nation:   THANK YOU

 

With kind regards

Paul Field, Chairman

The Referees’ Association

Web: www.the-ra.org

www.facebook.com/RefereesAssociation

twitter – @refsassociation

Videos & Articles – 10 April 2020

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Videos & Articles – 10 April 2020

from Mal Davies

IFAB LAW CHANGES 2020/21 explained by Keith Hackett
https://www.keystoreferee.com/latest-news/ifab-law-changes-of-the-season-2020-21-explained-by-keith-hackett/

VAR could be ruled out when football returns because of cramped conditions
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-soccer-italy/soccer-cramped-conditions-could-rule-out-var-says-italian-referee-boss-idUKKBN21O29W?rpc=401&

PREMIER LEAGUE :  Officials could be quarantined in hotels once the season resumes
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-8182237/Coronavirus-UK-English-football-referees-quarantined-season-resumes.html

REFEREEING DECISIONS : Fans name the worst decisions they’ve ever seen
https://www.givemesport.com/1561242-football-fans-name-the-worst-refereeing-decisions-theyve-ever-seen?autoplay=on

MLS 25 YEARS OLD – referee Esfandiar ‘Esse’ Baharmast reflects on the first game
http://proreferees.com/2020/04/06/qa-esse-baharmast-reflects-on-the-opening-mls-game-from-1996/

LAWS OF THE GAME QUIZ : Week 24
https://www.dutchreferee.com/week-24-laws-of-the-game-quiz-2019-2020/

BRIBES alleged in voting for 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52197014

FIFA REFEREE tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/futebol-nacional/covid-19-arbitro-fabio-verissimo-testa-positivo_d1218742

UEFA defends decision to play Atalanta v Valencia despite coronavirus pandemic
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/coronavirus-uefa-champions-league-atalanta-vs-valencia-bergamo-milan-a9434481.html

THE RA : The Referees’ Association has secured discounts from many manufacturers – one of the good reasons for joining The RA
https://www.privilegepurchaseclub.co.uk/Logon?formAction=Logon&retailer=PPC&userid=PPC&password=REFASSC

COLOMBIA : Drug dynasty was boosted by football — led to referee’s murder
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/how-pablo-escobars-drug-dynasty-21784353

COSTA RICA : Referees request financial help
http://refereeingworld.blogspot.com/2020/04/costa-rican-referees-request-financial.html?

National RA AGM

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AGM 2020

We previously advised you that (by the stipulated deadline of 1st February 2020) we had received just one Proposed Rule Change for 2020, and no Notices of Motion.

Rule Change 2020[52229]

By the stipulated deadline of 31/03/20, we had received no Amendments to that one Proposed Rule Change, which therefore now proceeds accordingly.

Please therefore find attached for your information and reference:

  • a further copy of the one Proposed Rule Change for AGM 2020;

which has already been uploaded to the RA Website for debate.

Voting papers will be sent out to Societies once the qualifying number of votes per LRA is known, based on their individual paid-up RA membership figure as at the end of April 2020.

For Life and Direct Members, you get one vote each, and (for convenience) your own voting paper will also be sent out simultaneously at the beginning of May 2020.

In all cases, full instructions on how to submit your vote will accompany the voting papers when these are sent out to you.

This year’s AGM is scheduled to take place on the afternoon of Saturday 4th July 2020 at the DeVere Hotel in Staverton, and we look forward to your participation.

Meanwhile:  Stay Safe & Keep Well.

Videos and Articles – 27 March 2020

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Mal Davis V&A – 27 March 2020

PREMIER LEAGUE : VAR talks continue despite coronavirus
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/11962856/premier-league-var-talks-continue-despite-coronavirus

NEIL DONCASTER reveals concerns over VAR coming to the Scottish game
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/donsnews/doncaster-has-concerns-over-var-coming-to-scottish-game/

FEMALE REFEREES : Helping to develop young female referees
https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/20202/march/plkicks_referee/

MARK HALSEY : The worst mistake in my refereeing career
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11247427/callum-mcmanamans-horror-tackle-haidara-halsey/

MLS : Referee Alan Kelly applies his own twist to StayAtHome Challenge
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/03/21/pro-referees-present-their-take-stayathomechallenge

LAWS OF THE GAME QUIZ : Week 22
https://www.dutchreferee.com/week-22-laws-of-the-game-quiz-2019-2020/

ON THIS DAY IN 2002 : Sheffield United v WBA abandoned by referee
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/day-2002-sheffield-united-v-west-brom-abandoned-referee

MARCH 23rd : This day in history over the years – an interesting read that brings back memories
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-sport-retrospective-march23/sports-on-this-day-march-23-idUKKBN2190I7

RARE MOMENTS OF REFEREES – keep skipping ads – good video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlUlCvnVjE0&feature=emb_rel_end

THE RA : The Referees’ Association has secured discounts from many manufacturers – one of the good reasons for joining The RA
https://www.privilegepurchaseclub.co.uk/Logon?formAction=Logon&retailer=PPC&userid=PPC&password=REFASSC

SPAIN : Female football referees on frontline of coronavirus
https://sports.ndtv.com/football/coronavirus-spains-female-football-referees-on-frontline-of-coronavirus-fight-2201273

 

*** KEEP SAFE EVERYONE ***

FA Refereeing Update

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FA Refereeing Update – 30 March 2020

NLS & Refereeing Update – 30.3.20[52101]

Football in York

Most, if not all, local leagues have taken the advice of the FA / NRCFA and ended the season forthwith

All fixtures played in 2019-20 will be expunged, as will all cup competitions

Hopefully, this will leave a straight edge for next season to hit the ground running (all being well)

I will post further updates as I get them

York RA and COVID-19

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Here is a statement form the Chairman on behalf of York RA regarding the impact of COVID-19:

Dear Referee, Match Observer, Mentor and all friends and colleagues of York Referees Association.

We are presently in a situation with the coronavirus crisis, whereby all public gatherings are dissuaded if not prohibited and as a consequence, we The Committee at York Referees’ Association have taken a decision to suspend all future meetings until further notice.

I am sure you will appreciate that this decision has been taken with your interests and those of your families at the forefront of our considerations.

Events suspended include members meetings on Thursdays 2nd April, 7th May and also the Annual Dinner on Friday 22nd May 2020.

In relation to the meeting on 7th May, this was to be our Annual General Meeting. Given that this meeting will not now take part, the present Committee will remain in position until the first opportunity we have to resume.

Clearly, this pandemic may present particular difficulties for some of our members and for those of you who are paid up members of The Referees’ Association, I would invite you to seek help and guidance from The National RA who have a benevolent fund which you may be able to access ([email protected] – 02476420360) Or, if you prefer, our Secretary Ian Hotchkies will be able to provide you with appropriate advice.

We do not know how long this crisis will last but we are confident that the business of York Referees’ Association will continue and thrive in the future but will only do so when it is safe to do so and with your support.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, queries or concerns then please feel free to contact me.

Stay Safe. Look after yourselves and your families and we hope to see you within the near future.

Best Wishes.

Alan

Alan Kaye, Chairman, York Referees’ Association

(M) 07789 005327

[email protected]

COVID-19 Update

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Further to the previous message and following the prime ministers announcement we can confirm the following competitions will be postponed:

Step 1 (Panel Select)

National League – Competition fixtures will be postponed

Step 2 (Panel 2B)

National League – Competition fixtures will be postponed

Step 3/4

Northern Premier League – Competition fixtures will be postponed

Step 5 Contributory Leagues

North West Counties League – Competition fixtures will be postponed

We will provide regular updates as and when information becomes available.

Co-Vid-19

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Co-Vid 19 – Impact on Competitions – National League System & Grassroots

 

A press release this morning (copied at the base of this email) indicated the position regarding fixtures up until 3 April within the Professional Game in England.

For the National League System and grassroots level of the game any decision to continue playing or to postpone their respective competitions is a matter for each league as autonomous bodies within the game.

For ease of reference please therefore find a breakdown of the current position regarding scheduled fixtures across the various levels and competitions within the National League System (men’s and women’s) and grassroots game.

Professional Game Competitions

The FA, Premier League, EFL and FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until 3 April at the earliest. This includes Premier League, EFL Championship, League 1 and League 2, WSL, Women’s Championship, FA Cup, FA Women’s Cup and FA Youth Cup fixtures for this period.

 

Step 1 (Panel Select)

National League – Competition fixtures this weekend will go ahead as scheduled.

Premier League 2 – In line with the instructions provided in the Professional Game all Premier League 2 fixtures scheduled until 3 April will be postponed.

 

Step 2 (Panel 2B)

National League – Competition fixtures this weekend will go ahead as scheduled.

U23 Professional Development League  – In line with the instructions provided in the Professional Game all PDL fixtures scheduled until 3 April will be postponed.

 

Step 3/4

Isthmian League – All games scheduled for this weekend and next midweek have been postponed

Northern Premier League – Competition fixtures this weekend will go ahead as scheduled.

Southern League – All games scheduled up until 22nd March have been postponed

U18 PL/PDL/Youth Alliance – In line with the instructions provided in the Professional Game all fixtures scheduled until 3 April will be postponed.

 

Step 5 Contributory Leagues

Eastern Counties League – All games are postponed until 3 April

North West Counties League – Competition fixtures this weekend will go ahead as scheduled (*The League are meeting to review this evening)

Northern Counties East – All games are postponed until 31 March

Northern League – All games are postponed until 3 April.

Western League – All games are postponed until 27 March.

Please keep in close contact with the clubs concerned to establish if this position changes before tomorrow’s games

 

Women’s National League

Games scheduled for this weekend will go ahead as planned.

 

Step 5-7– Grassroots

Any decision to continue playing or to postpone their respective competitions is a matter for each league as autonomous bodies within the game. Please liaise with your appointment officer to establish the position for the respective league.

It is not felt that grassroots fixtures need to be cancelled as a matter of course at the present time, although some may need to be if teams are self-isolating and are unable to play, or if teams are concerned about playing and the league/competition agrees to postpone.

FA Inter-League Cup

Competition fixtures this weekend will go ahead as scheduled.

 

If any match official feel unwilling or unable to complete an appointment to a competition to which they are appointed please make contact with your appointment officer at the earliest opportunity.