Posted on 25th July 2025
Referees and fan reps build on relationship
This summer supporter representatives from the FSA’s various networks have continued to build relationships with the game’s match officials.
FSA AGM
Back at our AGM in Manchester on Saturday 16th June, former-match official and now PGMO director of the women’s game Rebecca Welch gave a presentation to fans from around the country.
Delegates gathered at conference were given a rare insight into the challenges facing referees as Rebecca ran through various scenarios and asked the audience what decisions they would make if they were the referee. It was a modern and interactive take on Paul Trevillion’s ‘You are the ref’ comic that was extremely well received by those in attendance.
In addition to Rebecca’s presentation, Chris Foy was also in attendance with PGMO’s VAR experience.
PGMO conference
We returned the favour later in June as we attended the PGMO’s annual conference held at Doncaster Racecourse.
The event brought together match officials from the Premier League, Championship, League One and Two and the women’s game. Through various workshops and presentations FSA National Council members and network representatives learned about the ongoing work to develop refereeing pathways and improve refereeing standards at all levels of the game.
FSA Premier League network manager Thomas Concannon said: “We’d like to thank PGMO for inviting us to their conference.
“It’s impressive to see the level of detail that goes into refereeing and the workshops were extremely engaging.
“We’re conscious that it’s not possible for the vast number of supporters from the wider matchgoing public to make events like this and see the important work going on behind the scenes, which is something we have fed back to PGMO.
“But we are working together to inform fans as much as possible.
“Whilst fans will have differing views on refereeing and decisions, we are pleased we have a regular dialogue with PGMO to allow for wider supporter input which will continue for years to come.”
