Referee: the equipment for officiating
The Referee page brings together football referee equipment: whistles, shirts and shorts, kits, cards, watches and communication systems, from Fox 40, Macron, adidas, Erima, Givova or Spintso.
See, whistle, communicate: everything you need to officiate a match.
The ball-less whistle
The whistle is the main tool for referees. The Fox 40, invented in 1987 by Ron Foxcroft, a former Canadian basketball referee, has no ball: its sound, produced by air chambers, never gets blocked, even in the rain or cold, and carries far. It has become a standard in competitions worldwide. It can be worn on a lanyard or on a finger, so it’s always within reach.
Kit and cards
The referee wears a kit that distinguishes him from both teams and the goalkeepers, which is why it's important to have several shirt colours, like those from adidas or Macron, with short or long sleeves. The yellow and red cards, introduced during the 1970 World Cup on an idea from English referee Ken Aston, are stored in a case with a note pad, like the one from Erima, to record goals, warnings, and substitutions. A compression shirt under the kit keeps the muscles warm in cold weather.
Watch and communication
The referee's watch times the periods, counts down extra time, and can vibrate at the end of regular time; many referees wear two for safety. The communication systems, like the Spintso Refcom, connect the central referee and his assistants via earpiece, allowing them to communicate without taking their eyes off the game. They are permitted by the Laws of the game and are becoming common in amateur competitions.
The rest of the equipment
The equipment is complemented with balls, training gear, protective gear, bags, accessories, club space, on the equipment page.
New arrivals and good deals
The new arrivals showcase the latest models, the promotions offer previous collections at discounted prices, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The good deals, clearance, sales, and the Black Friday have their own football page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the advantage of a Fox 40 whistle for refereeing?
Invented in 1987 by Ron Foxcroft, a former Canadian basketball referee, the Fox 40 has no ball: its sound, produced by air chambers, never gets blocked, even in the rain or cold, and carries very far.
How to become a football referee?
In France, you register with your district to follow initial training, available from adolescence, which is validated by an exam on the laws of the game. The referee starts with youth matches or in the district, then progresses based on assessments.
What kit does a football referee wear?
A shirt, shorts, and matching socks, in a colour that distinguishes them from both teams: referees often carry several. Kits from Macron, Erima, or Givova come in various colours.
Why does a referee wear a special watch?
The referee's watch manages the timekeeping for both periods, counts down extra time, and vibrates at the end of regular time. Some also record goals and cards, to help with match report preparation.
What is a communication system for referees used for?
It connects the central referee to their assistants via an earpiece and microphone, similar to those from Spintso. Offside or foul alerts out of sight are transmitted instantly, in addition to the flag.
