Reporter tries football ref role

Reporter tries life as footy ref

The Football Association (FA) is facing a referee recruitment crisis, with the Bristol area experiencing one of the biggest shortages.

The FA wants to recruit 8,000 new refs by 2012 as well as retaining the existing pool of 26,000 match officials.

Demand for referees has gone up because of growth in the popularity of football, particularly among women.

At the same time, many referees have left the game, fed up with the abuse from fans and players. It's reckoned that in some areas 20% of games are now being played without a qualified referee.

On Inside Out West on Monday, 9 November at 7.30pm on BBC One, reporter Alastair McKee enrols at "ref school" to see if he's got what it takes to officiate a real match.

Do you think you could referee a game of footie?

Have a go at our quiz to see if your knowledge of the rules of the game is up to scratch.

If you miss the show, don't forget you can watch it again on the BBC iPlayer.

Question 1

After the game, the players are shaking hands, and you overhear a Bristol Rovers player swearing at a Bristol City player. Do you call a foul?

	A: Yes, he is guilty of unsporting behaviour

	B: No, a foul must occur while the ball is in play

	C: No, rules can't be enforced after the game is over

Question 2

During the coin toss before the match, the United captain spits on the Town captain. Do you...

	A: Caution the United captain as you cannot send anyone off before the match has started

	B: Send off the United captain but allow a sub to take his place

	C: Send off the United captain and tell United they have to play with 10 men

Question 3

A City corner is crossed into the box and met with a fantastic header by their centre forward. The ball is heading into the net but unfortunately you get in the way and it deflects off your chest and wide of the post. What is the correct decision?

	A: Goal

	B: Corner

	C: Goal Kick

Question 4

A defender scores an own-goal straight from a direct free-kick outside his penalty area. What does the referee do?

	A: Award a corner

	B: Award the goal

	C: Make him retake the free kick

Question 5

Can a player be offside from his own team's goal kick?

	A: No

	B: Yes

	C: Yes, but only if he's over the half way line

Question 6

You lose your whistle during the match and despite your best efforts you can't find it. Do you...

	A: Declare the game to be over - the game cannot be played without a whistle

	B: Accept the offer of a party horn from a spectator because there's no law that requires you to have a whistle

	C: Let the match continue and hope that no-one notices when you don't blow up for fouls

 Press the button and see how you have done