Mike delivered an interactive presentation looking at the recognition of challenges that were careless, reckless or involving excessive force. After establishing a definition of each, Mike used video clips from top flight games to stimulate discussion. He used his knowledge and experience to improve the audience’s ability to recognise and develop the ability to apply the correct sanction.

One foul, a late and uncontrolled double footed frontal jump required no discussion, just dismays from the audience!

After the break it was the turn of RA Board member Vince Penfold and Surrey County FA referee development officer Tim Lawrence. Their remit was to ensure that colleagues were ‘fully across’ the changes to the identification of and correct sanction to be applied to players committing denial of goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) offenses, in light of this seasons changes.

The evening continued with a general and varied question and answer session with Mike, Vince and Tim. An interesting question to Mike concerned sending a player off for a second caution when the second one is for persistent infringement.

Mike recalled that he once sent a football league player off for two cautions, both persistent infringement, a series of seven fouls. Some players just don’t get the message!

In closing the evening Sussex County RA President, Dave Jackson, thanked all for their contributions to an excellent evening.

For further information about the event please contact the Sussex County Referees Association:

Sussex County Referees Association
E: Secretary@SussexCountyRA.com