Question 1

How do I sign up as a referee on FindaRef?

Accepted Answer

Go to findaref.co.uk and click 'Join as a referee', or download the FindaRef app. Sign up with your email address and a password, then confirm your email from the verification link we send you.

Question 2

How do I set my availability as a referee?

Accepted Answer

Open My availability in the FindaRef app or the web dashboard and set the days and hours you can referee, for example Saturday 2pm to 5pm. You can also set recurring weekly availability.

Question 3

How long do I have to respond to a fixture offer?

Accepted Answer

Standard fixtures: 2 hours. Fixtures within 48 hours of kick-off (urgency mode): 30 minutes. If you don't respond in time, the offer moves to the next referee.

Question 4

What happens if a referee cancels within 48 hours?

Accepted Answer

A strike is issued to the referee's account. The system immediately re-runs matching in urgency mode with 30-minute offer windows. 3 late cancellations in a rolling 90-day period triggers a temporary suspension.

Question 5

How do I post a fixture as an organiser?

Accepted Answer

Use the New Fixture form in your dashboard or the FindaRef app. Fill in the match details and publish, and matching starts straight away. Required details: date, time, location, grade, and age group.

Question 6

Can I request a specific referee for my fixture?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In the fixture creation form there's an optional 'Request a referee' field showing your previously used referees. If they're available and eligible, they receive the offer first. If not, the fixture falls into the standard pool automatically.

Question 7

What do the fixture status labels mean?

Accepted Answer

Searching: matching is in progress. Confirmed: a referee has been matched and confirmed. Unmatched: all 5 attempts were exhausted. Cancelled: cancelled by you or the referee. Completed: the match has taken place.

Question 8

How much does FindaRef cost?

Accepted Answer

Referees join for free and are paid their full match fee, with no cut taken. Organisers can post on the Free plan and pay a 10% matchmaking fee per fixture, or subscribe for commission-free fixtures: Basic £19.99/month, Club £69.99/month, or League £399/month.

Question 9

What FA grades does FindaRef cover?

Accepted Answer

FindaRef covers all FA grades from Level 7 up to National List referees. Organisers specify the minimum grade required and only referees who meet or exceed that standard are matched.

Question 10

Does FindaRef work across the whole UK?

Accepted Answer

FindaRef is built for UK grassroots football and uses postcode-based distance matching to find referees near your fixture.

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How can we help?

Referee guides

Organiser guides

General

We're here for you.