Reffing in Europe

[Blitzkrieg16]

I'm going to be over in England for a couple weeks during the Memorial Day holiday and I was wondering how do I maybe pick up a couple games to go referee while I am over there.

Thanks,
Blitz

[timmy409]

what part.....

[Blitzkrieg16]

London

[GlennAA11]

I don't think it's possible. The FA seem to be pretty strict about their rules and procedures. Since you weren't certified (I assume) by the FA it's not likely they would assign you. I gather the system over there is rather byzantine with county associations that are run as pretty tight ships. Not likely they would allow any ol' yank to come over and referee a couple of games unless it was part of some kind of formal exchange program. But I'm sure the more experienced souls here would know more about this.

[Alberto]

I would suggest you send Jeff Lancaster a PM or email. He lives in England and might be able to help, thought I think that it will be a difficult task to obtain permission to referee as noted in Glenn's post.

[Statesman]

England has soccer games going on 24/7 -- some under the FA, others not. You wouldn't get an FA game but maybe there's a scrimmage or unaffiliated you could work. Ask around, you never know.

I wouldn't recommend working a game even if available simply from the anti-American sentiment towards our refs (and with the war going on).

[uniteo]

Originally posted by Statesman

I wouldn't recommend working a game even if available simply from the anti-American sentiment towards our refs (and with the war going on).

You know they're fighting with us, right?

[Statesman]

Originally posted by uniteo
You know they're fighting with us, right?

You actually think the PEOPLE of Britain support the war? Tony Blair committed political suicide with his support of Bush, but he does so to make the world a better place. Still, going to war was not the will of the British people and for that they are not too happy. It was a government decision, not societal.

[mclauc1999]

You cannot referee in England unless you have completed the FA Referee Course. I referee in Scotland and even I cannot referee in England as I am an SFA referee =)

[campton]

I heard the same. Also what would you wear? i Doubt you have the proper kit.

[thegreatcrab]

The game also happened 4 years ago.
Someone's been uncovering all the buried topics. Not that its a bad thing, just be wary.

It does bring up a question though for me about reffing in Europe. I'll be studying abroad next year. Hopefully one semester in Paris or Montpelier, France and another in Bristol, England.

Any of you guys have experiences refereeing in France or England? Any ideas what I need to do to get certified?

[AspireNatlRef]

Was in england for 2 years after medical school and took the FA course that took forever... like 6 weeks, but that was just my experience. But VERY physical play on every level. And they expect a very different level of foul vs. play on.

When I came back, I had people livid at me for some of the things I let go.

ALSO make sure you keep your USSF registration up to date, even if out of the country... I left as a 5 and came back as a 7... then had to do it all over again... So make sure you pay each year you are away, take to your state and send in your game numbers to stay current... something I never thought about and bit me hard...

ANR

[Englishref]

It's very possible for you to referee over here. My county, London, promote us refereeing abroad, so I see no reason why it shouldn't work in reverse. In fact, on my mens Sunday League, we had a Swedish referee who was on holiday in London for a month referee a few games.

They'll have to work out what your qualification is equivalent to in the English scale, but there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to referee a run-of-the-mill mens Sunday league game. Just don't expect to be called 'sir' when you come over here!

If anyone does fancy refereeing in London when they're over here (remember our season runs different to America - August to May), let me know, and I can give you the contact details of the person at the LFA you'd need to speak to and who could answer your questions with official answers.

[thegreatcrab]

Great stuff. I was reading the FA website and it looks pretty straightforward in regards to getting certified over there.

Do they ever run clinics during the winter? Because that would be when I would have to take it (I plan to do fall semester in France).


Anyone know about reffing in France? The FFF website isn't helpful at all and the only site with some helpful information is poorly done (if anyone speaks French here is the link).

http://www.arbitre.com/AV/actualites/accueil.php?catalogid=4

From what I can tell though you go through a course (when and where I have no idea) and then you do a game where you're evaluated to see if you can ref again. Talk about pressure if you're just starting.

[thegreatcrab]

If anyone does fancy refereeing in London when they're over here (remember our season runs different to America - August to May), let me know, and I can give you the contact details of the person at the LFA you'd need to speak to and who could answer your questions with official answers.


I'll be contacting you probably when I get my study abroad notices in and the date comes closer. Thanks a ton :-)

[Englishref]

Great stuff. I was reading the FA website and it looks pretty straightforward in regards to getting certified over there.

Do they ever run clinics during the winter? Because that would be when I would have to take it (I plan to do fall semester in France).


If by clinics, you mean courses, then yes, refereeing courses run every month in some part of London. I imagine it's the same elsewhere in England.

[KidRef]

If you were going to want to referee there w/o taking the FA course you would need to go through the USSF as they will have to talk to the FA re your certification status. If you are going abroad for an extended period of time, USSF has an "overseas branch" which I would look into, which means you register as being overseas and there are different requirements of some sort.

[Tarheel Ref]

Well I thank whoever uncovered this old thread...

I've been considering studying abroad for a semester and would LOVE to expand my soccer (football!) education at the same time. Thanks for the tips and the links.