ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Football refereeing in England

Okay, so when people play football, they need someone to make sure that everybody follows the rules. That person is called the referee. The referee wears different clothes than the players so people can tell them apart.

In England, there is a group called the Football Association (also known as the FA) that decides what the rules of football are. The FA also trains and hires referees.

Once a referee is chosen, they have to make sure to follow all the rules and be fair to both teams. They watch the game very closely to make sure nobody is cheating or playing too rough.

If someone does something wrong, like fouling another player or not following the rules, the referee can give them a yellow card or a red card. A yellow card means they did something wrong, but not too bad, and a red card means they did something really bad. If someone gets a red card, they have to leave the game and can't continue playing.

One of the most important things a referee has to do is keep track of time. A football game is usually divided into two halves, each lasting 45 minutes. The referee has to make sure the game stays on schedule and that there is enough time for both teams to play.

So, in short, a football referee is someone who makes sure everyone follows the rules and is fair to both teams during a game. In England, the referees are trained by the Football Association and have to keep track of time and give out cards if someone breaks the rules.