Noun

Singular referee

Plural referees

referee (plural referees)

  1. (sports) An umpire or judge; the official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game
    • 'The referee kicked Jim out of the game for fighting.'
  2. A person who settles a dispute
  3. A person who writes a letter of reference for someone
    • 'Your application, along with letters from three referees, should be received by January 31.'
  4. An expert who judges the manuscript of an article or book to decide if it should be published

From Wiktionary under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Fri Sep 18 00:42:32 2009

A referee has authority to make decisions about play in many sports. Officials in various sports are known by a variety of titles, including referee, umpire, judge, linesman, commissaire, timekeeper or touch judge.

Origin

The term referee originated in association football. Originally the team captains would consult with each other in order to resolve any dispute on the pitch. Eventually this role was delegated to an umpire. Each team would bring their own partisan umpire allowing the team captains to concentrate on the game. Later, the referee, a third "neutral" official was added, this referee would be "referred to" if the umpires could not resolve a dispute. The referee did not take his place on the pitch until 1891, when the umpires became linesmen (now assistant referees). Today, in many amateur football matches, each side will still supply their own partisan assistant referees (still commonly called club linesmen) to assist the neutral referee appointed by the governing football association.

Examples

Australian rules football

Main article: Umpire (Australian rules football)

An umpire is an official in the sport of Australian rules football. Games are overseen by one to three field umpires, two boundary umpires, and two goal umpires.

Baseball and softball

Main article: Umpire (baseball)

In baseball and softball, the umpire is the person(s) charged with officiating the game. Multiple umpires—usually two, three or four, but sometimes six for championship games—are typically assigned to a game.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Mon Mar 15 16:10:46 2010

How long does it take to be a soccer referee for pro soccer matches?
Q. I want to know how long it takes to be a pro soccer referee and what you have to go through.
Asked by lifeguard305 - Mon Apr 14 12:03:16 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It's a regular career ladder :) You have to do the work refereeing soccer starting with small local games. A good knowledge, i.e. having played the game alot, is pretty much the only prerequisite. Check out local "for fun" style soccer leagues and your local and regional school athletics associations. P.S. To answer your quiestions it takes along time, probably on the order of a decade or more.
Answered by morphriz - Mon Apr 14 12:13:38 2008

How can I apply to be a soccer referee ?
Q. I live in LA, California. I want to apply to be a referee. I tried to find a proper web page, but i couldn't. Does anyone know how to do it? I want to be MLB referee, but obviuosly I have to start from lower leagues. I meant MLS sorry.
Asked by lonley alien - Thu Sep 27 13:28:36 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. To be a referee for MLS, which are grade level 3 and 4 in the United States Soccer Federation (www.ussoccer.com) , you have to start at the entry level which is a grade 8. So many games and time at each level, fitness test, ect... and you work your way up. I am enclosing the email addresses for the State of California USSF reps who instruct and are the administrators. Best of luck to you.
Answered by FB16 - Fri Sep 28 10:03:54 2007

How do you get certified to referee a sport such as Basketball or Soccer.?
Q. Im interested in Referee'ing younger kids games in parks and rec over the summer and ive already taken referee classes in high school.
Asked by noviballer - Tue Jan 9 17:09:27 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. That will really depend on the state in which you live and the regulations that the club has. Some clubs need to be certified through the main organization for insurance reasons. I know where I live all refs need to go through training through a state recognized class before they can ref any games. I would talk to the park and rec organization and find out exactly what their requirements are.
Answered by photogrl262000 - Tue Jan 9 17:19:43 2007

From Yahoo Answer Search: "referee"
Thu Feb 18 19:06:31 2010

From field to court - Hays Daily News
news.google.com
From field to court

Hays Daily News

Sabath also was scheduled to referee one more game today, then it's back to work as coach for the Tigers, who play at home this weekend. ...



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Portsmouth school officials disappointed, embarrassed by hockey playoff brawl - Foster's Daily Democrat
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Portsmouth school officials disappointed, embarrassed by hockey playoff brawl

Foster's Daily Democrat

Last year, a York, Maine, man slated to go to trial for his role in an altercation with a referee after a youth hockey game pleaded guilty to a lesser ...



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Clearing up the Hawks' no-goal vs. Detroit - ESPN (blog)
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Clearing up the Hawks' no-goal vs. Detroit

ESPN (blog)

You might still be fuming mad that the Chicago Blackhawks had a goal taken away from them on Sunday after referee Steve Kozari determined ...

From Google News Search: "referee"
Wed Mar 10 13:16:10 2010

referee subhold jpg
thewrestlinggame.com
referee subhold jpg
500px x 500px | 18.80kB

[source page]

The Killer can t resist anymore and taps out wing of chaos wins the match and defeats the killer

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leagueusa.com
referee jpg
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[source page]

Are you looking for a fun way to earn some extra cash PlayBaltimore com is now looking for referees for the following sports Kickball

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[source page]

Ed Griffis Soccer Assignor Website

From Yahoo Image Search: "referee"
Sat Feb 6 18:15:19 2010

FA fine Pompey boss Grant for referee rant | European Live Soccer ...
eurolivesoccer.com
FA fine Pompey boss Grant for referee rant | European Live Soccer ...

unknown

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:32:49 GM

Best daily soccer news and football transfer news, soccer tickets, soccer betting, soccer games, football tickets, soccer chat, soccer bets, etc.

Brian Moore flawless as a ref RefBlog Views from a Rugby Referee
refblog.co.uk
Brian Moore flawless as a ref RefBlog Views from a Rugby Referee

Ref

ue, 02 Mar 2010 21:56:35 GM

Not sure Ive ever described myself, or been described as flawless, but Mr Pitbull himself seems to have suggested that his start as a . referee. was that good. Just a shame that 3 mins later it was all over. Anyway, I'd take 3 mins of ...

Campbell: Referee blocked me - Soccerway
soccerway.com
Campbell: Referee blocked me - Soccerway

unknown

hu, 18 Feb 2010 10:20:00 GM

Referee. played main role, took the ball from Fabianski, who was asking ref for playing for whistle. That is a shame for ref. Fabianski also would commited tactical foul by just kicking the ball away, but he was certain that ref is going ...

From Google Blog Search: "referee"
Fri Mar 5 08:12:44 2010