Sheffield Referees Association (RA)

Important dates for your 2026 calendar where Sheffield RA are looking to put an exciting and entertaining programme for your enjoyment and development.

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Join us on Thursday 19th Feb for a Development Evening with SHCFA on Conflict Management. 7.30pm at The Carlton Social Club S12 2QF - All Welcome

Nominations are now open for The Referee Recognition Awards 2026! 🥳 Nominate your best refs for an award and show how much you value their contribution to the game. ⬇️ englandfootball.com/participate/re…

Is this weather getting in the way of games? Have you had a few P-P? Need something to look forward to? Join us next Thursday for a special guest speaker, Craig Pawson. 7pm Phoenix Brinsworth. It's set to be an absolutely cracking night ⚽️.

Your latest Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage Match Officials stats! 📊

Great to see you all, you’re welcome at all of our meetings

Michael Oliver was a fantastic guest and held the room all night as he humbly went through his incredible journey. Michael dispelled many myths and explained everything answering any question thrown at him, explaining VAR, Hawkeye Goal Line Technology.

Fantastic talk @SheffieldRA Great guest speaker who has filled a room and engaged so many! Well done

Brilliant night last night at a referee event with PGMOL and FIFA Referee Michael Oliver Always learning….Michael started reffing at 14 like shay…..if your at a grassroots game this weekend support your ref 👍 @SheffieldRA @SDJSFL @SHCFAReferee @SHCFA

Michael Oliver presenting at our January meeting

All Referees welcome

OFFENCE The referee awards an indirect free kick if the goalkeeper: ➡️ places the ball on the ground ➡️ deliberately drops the ball to their feet ➡️ rolls the ball along the ground and then handles the ball again inside their penalty area before it has touched another player. There is no disciplinary sanction for the goalkeeper.

There are times when a goalkeeper throws the ball (usually to clear it with their foot) and then catches it again inside their penalty area before the ball touches the ground. This may result from: ➡️ an accidental fumble ➡️ distraction by an opponent ➡️ the goalkeeper’s hesitation/change of mind after throwing the ball In such cases, the goalkeeper is still considered to be in control of the ball with their hands/arms and is not punished with a free kick, unless they control the ball for more than 8 seconds (from the moment they gained possession of the ball).

An indirect free kick is awarded if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area, touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player. However, Law 12 states that a goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball when bouncing it or throwing it in the air.

Wishing everyone a Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2026, thank you for 2025

Sheffield RA wish everyone a Merry Christmas

Congratulations to Emily Heaslip and Chris Kavanagh on their respective promotions within UEFA’s refereeing categories 👏 Emily is promoted to Category 1, while Chris moves into the Elite Category, reflecting their consistent performances and continued development at the highest level of the game.

Harley Hetherington shares insight into refereeing on and off the pitch, supporting the pathway from pre-season administration through to on-field support. Watch the latest instalment of Referee and Me now 🎥