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#Post#: 108270--------------------------------------------------
Referee Positioning
DIR By: adcr85
Date: July 3, 2026, 4:44 am
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Like most on this forum I have spent far too much of my life
watching football matches - at many different levels, but I
believe I've spotted a bit of a trend with this World Cup and
just seeing if anyone else notices/agrees/disagrees.
In my opinion almost across all the matches/referees (I've not
watched all the matches but am at around the 50 mark) in general
play the referees have appeared to take up a more 'attacking'
and 'central' position than usual.
When the ball is playing across the defenders the referee is
almost in the number 10 position of that team, and I’m not sure
if this is a deliberate ploy/instruction or just a general trend
that I've missed in the last few seasons.
There have been numerous occasions when passing lanes have been
blocked by the referee, and players getting very close to them
when competing for the ball. Admittedly I have only seen a
couple of occasions where the ref has been hit by the ball, and
can't remember any time he has physically been blocked/pushed,
but watching the matches there are usually 5 or 6 times a match
when I 'wince' that the ref is about to get over involved in
play.
I'm just catching up on last night, so will use that as an
example. Referee (who's been fine so far) is just in a position
that I can't remember seeing before this tournament. I assume
comms will help, but quick ball into the Algeria centre mid and
he's back to the ball and in the way of an attacking run or
pass.
Just checking if anyone else has seen this and had any thoughts,
or have I just gone football blind and imaging things after
watching so much?
#Post#: 108273--------------------------------------------------
Re: Referee Positioning
DIR By: ChrisJames_90
Date: July 3, 2026, 6:02 am
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I've also noticed this, and several of my non-whisteblowing
friends have too. I'm not sure whether Team One has been coached
to try and hold a more central position, or to effectively treat
the width of the pitch as a series of lanes, but I fear
refereeing from the No.10 position is effectively going to put
you too close to action such that you lose angle/perspective.
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