Macquarie Football Referees Association Inc.

Macquarie Football Referees Association Inc. Macquarie Football Referees Association Inc.

promotes the standard of Football officiating in the Macquarie Football Zone, and whilst doing so foster enjoyment and a sense of comradery among Football Officials, both young and old.

07/05/2026

An attacking player scores in the opponents’ goal after the ball has touched their shoulder. What is the correct decision?

From all at the Macquarie Football Referees Association, we take a moment today to reflect on the courage, resilience an...
24/04/2026

From all at the Macquarie Football Referees Association, we take a moment today to reflect on the courage, resilience and sacrifice shown by the Anzacs and all who have served since.

Their legacy continues to inspire generations.

Lest We Forget

23/04/2026

Players, substitutes and team officials must respect their opponents, match officials, spectators, and any other person attending the game. Referees are advised to deal strongly with public, inappropriate gestures, according to the exact circumstances. What gestures are punishable with a red or yellow card?

SENDING-OFF

A player, substitute or team official must be shown a red card for using offensive, insulting or abusive gesture(s), i.e. considered by the referee to be rude, hurtful, disrespectful.

CAUTION

There are different circumstances when gestures, which are not offensive, insulting or abusive, may require a yellow card to be shown:

1️⃣ dissent by action

Example: The referee awards a direct free kick for Team A and shows a card to a player of Team B. A coach of Team B does not agree with these decisions and claps sarcastically.

2️⃣ unsporting behaviour

Example: The goalkeeper saves a penalty kick and makes provocative/inflammatory gestures in front of the opponents’ fans, showing a clear lack of respect for the game.

3️⃣ excessively/persistently gesturing for a card

Example: The referee awards a free kick for a tactical foul committed to stop a counter-attack but does not show a card to the offender. A player of the attacking team angrily approaches the referee and clearly gestures for a card.

4️⃣ excessively showing the ‘TV signal’ for a VAR ‘review’

Example: A defender falls to the ground near the touchline after incidental contact with their opponent. A substitute, who was close to this situation, excessively uses the ‘TV’ signal as they believe the referee missed a serious incident (a potential red card offence).

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER

The appropriate disciplinary sanction may be issued regardless of whether the gesture is:
➡ directed at an opponent, match official or any other person (a concrete spectator/the crowd, ball boy/girl, security or competition official, etc.)
➡ shown on or off the field of play
➡ used when the ball is in or out of play

The sanction for the gesture applies/remains, even if the initial decision is changed by the referee.

Examples:
➡ showing clear dissent by making gestures towards the referee who awarded a penalty kick and then decided to cancel it
➡ provocative gestures by the scorer towards the home team’s supporters after scoring a goal that was then disallowed for offside

In both cases, the card is not cancelled because such behaviour is unacceptable and harms the image of the game.

20/04/2026

An attacker is in an offside position when their team-mate makes a long pass towards them. However, the ball does not reach the attacker, as it is intercepted by a defender. The defender controls the ball with their feet, moves a few metres and touches the ball several times.

After that, the attacker, who was in an offside position, runs to the ball, tackles the defender and gains possession without committing a foul.

What is the referee’s decision?

⚽ Football is back!Wishing all players, coaches, clubs and supporters a fantastic opening weekend.👏 Best of luck to all ...
16/04/2026

⚽ Football is back!
Wishing all players, coaches, clubs and supporters a fantastic opening weekend.

👏 Best of luck to all Macquarie Football Referees Association referees taking charge of their first matches of the season.

Enjoy the game, trust your instincts, and have a great season ahead

15/04/2026

While taking a throw-in, a player holds the ball in front of them (partially above their head) and throws it onto the ground (the ball does not start its movement from behind the head).

What is the correct decision if the ball enters the field of play and goes to the thrower’s team-mate?

***REMINDER***Please remember to update your availability for this weekend in Squadi.Squadi's default is that you are UN...
14/04/2026

***REMINDER***
Please remember to update your availability for this weekend in Squadi.
Squadi's default is that you are UNAVAILABLE. If you want to be appointed this weekend, please jump in and make yourself available for the timeslots you can referee.
Thank you... Enjoy your Refereeing
⚽⚽

Wishing all our members and families a wonderful, safe Easter. Please rest up, refresh and be ready for the season kicko...
02/04/2026

Wishing all our members and families a wonderful, safe Easter. Please rest up, refresh and be ready for the season kickoff on the weekend starting 17th April.

24/03/2026

An attacker and a defender chase the ball in the middle of the field of play. The attacker kicks the ball past the defender, who fails to touch the ball and commits a late careless tackle which stops a promising attack (SPA). However, another attacker, who was clearly in an offside position when their team-mate kicked the ball, gains possession and runs towards the opponents’ goal.

What is the correct decision?

18/03/2026

A player may score a goal against the opposing team directly from:
✅ a kick-off
✅ a direct free kick
✅ a penalty kick
✅ a goal kick
✅ a corner kick

A goal may not be scored directly* from:
❌ a dropped ball
❌ an indirect free kick
❌ a throw-in

*For a goal to be awarded after these restarts, the ball must touch another player (of either team). If the ball enters the opponents’ goal without touching any other player, the restart is not retaken, and the referee awards a goal kick to the opposing team.

Address

PO Box 173
Warners Bay, NSW
2282

Telephone

+61418453717

Website

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