Former All Blacks captain uses a farewell speech to launch a scathing attack on Southern Hemisphere officials. Posted May 07, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
The All Blacks, Springboks, Aussies, France, England and Wales are involved in warm-up games and final squads will soon be announced. But let's not forget The Whistler. Posted August 01, 2007 by ROGER NAISH
The Man in Black should be made more accountable, but why isn't there an education programme in place for youngsters, players and fans? Posted April 14, 2008 by Claire Bee
There's more to a match than simply playing, and officials have a big part to play in the development of sport, and especially basketball. Posted September 16, 2007 by Utku Ertan
Ever felt the game was fixed and you were cheated out of a win? You're not alone. One disillusioned onlooker and author has come up with a few spectacular 'fixes'. Posted October 25, 2007 by John Fatland
Top players often react with disbelief or deny involvement when they are pulled up for an infringement. But these attitudes set a very bad example to young players. Posted June 11, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
After Graham Poll's recent controversies, it's time to show Premiership referees the respect they deserve. Posted November 13, 2006 by CaughtOffside.com
It's time FIFA turned the camera on bringing football into the 21st century. That includes gagging bigmouth players who abuse officials - and giving last-man defenders a break Posted November 28, 2006 by Sean Swift
Contentious decisions should not be the preserve of referees only - that's official Posted November 27, 2006 by Ori Lewis
Experienced official Lawrence controlled his 100th first-class fixture when the Highlanders hosted the Hurricanes - but seemed a bit confused about the intention of the new experimental laws. Posted March 08, 2008 by Hamish McBrearty
Referees have the hardest job in sport. When they get it right nobody notices and when they get it wrong everyone bays for blood. During Saturday's Hurricanes v Sharks game, referee Paul Marks made four huge decisions and seemed to get two of them horribly wrong. Posted April 05, 2008 by Hamish McBrearty
The FA must introduce stringent penalties to deal with misbehaviour on the pitch - but referees should also be wired up be answerable to puzzled fans. Posted April 16, 2008 by David Combe
Disrespecting the referee is all part of the game today, and until the rules change, players will always be at war with officials. Posted April 20, 2008 by John McCallum
An increase in foul language, intimidation of officials and general loutish behaviour is dragging the beautiful game through the gutter. Harsher bans are the answer. Posted May 16, 2008 by Chris Goldsmith
There's no question that football discipline needs tightening and that players need to show more respect to referees. But what is the best way forward? Mike Pacy gives his views... Posted May 15, 2008 by Mike Pacy
RWC officials have clearly been given a mandate to deal with foul play harshly. It's their big chance to demonstrate to potential new fans that rugby is a game where thuggery and rule-breaking will not be tolerated. Posted September 10, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
Former Manchester United midfielder angry with diving trend. Posted November 10, 2006 by Reuters
Referees, touch judges and television match officials will inevitably play a decisive role in who ends up lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup. Hamish McBrearty looks at the pros and cons of the situation. Posted August 14, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
The Wigan boss faces a Football Association rap following Sunday's tirade at ref Phil Dowd - the same FA which enables the likes of Dowd to officiate at the top level of the game. Posted February 14, 2007 by Gareth Llewellyn-Stevens
The Tackle: In his 'Aw Ref!' column this week, our expert Hamish McBrearty focuses on one of Rugby Union's most contentious areas. Posted July 11, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
This week's "Aw Ref" focuses on a contest unlike anything in any other sport in the world - the Rugby Union scrum. While the big squeeze has been made much safer in recent years, it is still an area that is misunderstood by many. Posted July 19, 2007 by Hamish McBrearty
Styles may have boobed in awarding Chelsea a penalty on Sunday, but referees have always been football's whipping boys. Posted August 22, 2007 by Joe Morris
With just over a week of pool matches remaining, have the referees, touch judges, TMOs and citing officers lost the plot? Posted September 20, 2007 by ROGER NAISH
The New Zealanders dominate in the heavily-policed rucks, while the Wallabies' under-pressure scrum is often awarded penalties. Referees are under pressure and all we ask for is consistency. Posted August 26, 2007 by James Mortimer
An academic study by statisticians may show that referees' decisions favour home teams, but it all evens itself out in the end. Posted November 06, 2006 by Mark Rivlin
The men in black are pilloried from football post to post by arrogant managers and fans. But the truth is, they are the lifeblood of the game. Posted May 31, 2007 by Mark Rivlin
If you act like a child then you should be treated like a child. It's certainly time the FA took a stand against petulant behaviour. Posted March 27, 2008 by gerald mclaughlin
The blue half of Merseyside can't get over Liverpool and Clattenburg – and one fan is convinced the side's continuing cruel misfortune is down to a Faustian deal. Or could it be a Shakespearian tragedy? Posted February 06, 2008 by Ed Bottomley
Most of us are well aware that the game's refusal to adopt video technology is largely responsible for referees making wrong decisions at key moments. Will the wrinklies who make the rules ever see sense? Posted October 28, 2007 by Gerry Horsfield
Some referees think that they are so smart that they can deceive the participants in a game. So what distinguishes a good referee from these game wreckers? In a nutshell: Don't keep score Posted September 21, 2007 by Utku Ertan
Refereeing errors in the new Premiership season reopen the debate on the use of technology in sport Posted September 11, 2006 by Logan Holmes
Match officials have been making mistakes for as long as football has called on their services. It's time for 'wronged' managers to accept reality - that it's all part of the game. Posted November 23, 2006 by Chris Oakley