Inside the world of Premier League referees: New rules, fitness testing and coping with pressure

Inside the world of Premier League referees: New rules, fitness testing and coping with pressure

“We don’t want to celebritise referees, but we want to humanise them,” says Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer for Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), while sitting pitchside in Spain at a pre-season training camp for England’s elite officials. “One of our key performance characteristics is around physical ability and being able to comfortably meet…

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Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Hwang Hee-chan waves to fans after a Premier League match against Aston Villa at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, on Feb. 1. [AFP/YONHAP]

Premier League may be Korean-less in 2025-26 season as Wolves’ Hwang likely to leave

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Hwang Hee-chan waves to fans after a Premier League match against Aston Villa at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, on Feb. 1. [AFP/YONHAP]   Korean players’ two-decade-long presence in the Premier League could end this summer, with Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan expected to leave the club.   Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano,…

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Maro Itoje with Lions fans

Marcus Rashford: Former Manchester United striker set to make Barcelona debut after captain uncertainty

Life is never dull at FC Barcelona – or ‘Can Barca’ as the club and its surrounding environment is known in Spain. Even the sleepiest off-season Sunday can suddenly erupt into the latest melodramatic controversy, with rumours, counter-rumours and abrupt U-turns a matter of course. This summer has been no different, with Rashford’s first fortnight…

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Football: German club defends calling off signing of Israeli striker, chairman justifies decision | Football News

Football: German club defends calling off signing of Israeli striker, chairman justifies decision | Football News

Shon Weissman (Images via Getty Images) Fortuna Düsseldorf chairman Klaus Allofs has defended the German club’s decision to withdraw from signing Israeli striker Shon Weissman following opposition from sections of the fanbase over the player’s social media activity relating to the Gaza conflict. The second-division side had been in advanced talks to bring Weissman from…

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Mikel Arteta has warned Premier League rivals that Viktor Gyokeres can ‘destroy’ defences

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issues fierce warning to Premier League rivals after new striker Viktor Gyokeres broke his scoring duck in pre-season friendly

By ISAAN KHAN, REPORTER Published: 20:43 BST, 9 August 2025 | Updated: 02:04 BST, 10 August 2025 Mikel Arteta warned rivals that Viktor Gyokeres can ‘destroy’ defences after he scored his first Arsenal goal in their final pre-season fixture. The Gunners signed the £64million striker from Sporting Lisbon last month, ending a long wait of…

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