Conflict of Interest
Irish Soccer Referees' Society Circular to Members
Subject: Interpretative Guidance – “Immediate Family Member” and “Associate” Relevant Regulation: Football Association of Ireland
The Irish Soccer Referees' Society, as the representative body for match officials, issues the following guidance to assist members in the consistent application of the above regulation:
“A Referee may not officiate a club in which an immediate family member or associate is directly involved.”
1. Immediate Family Member
The regulation defines “immediate family member” as:
• parents
• spouse
• children
• siblings
This definition is closed and exhaustive. It does not automatically include extended family members such as uncles, aunts, cousins, or similar relations.
2. Associate
The regulation further defines an “associate” as:
• a close friend, or
• someone with whom the referee has regular contact
This is a broader, fact-dependent category, intended to capture relationships that may give rise to:
• actual bias, or
• a reasonable perception of bias
3. Application to Extended Family (e.g. Uncle or Aunt)
An uncle or aunt:
• is not an “immediate family member” under the regulation;
• may, however, fall within “associate”, depending on the relationship. The determining factors include:
• the closeness of the relationship;
• the frequency of interaction; and
• whether a reasonable observer might question impartiality.
4. Governing Principle
The regulation is grounded in protecting:
• impartial decision-making, and
• public confidence in refereeing integrity
Accordingly, members are expected to adopt a cautious and transparent approach. Where any doubt arises, referees should:
• declare the potential conflict, and/or
• decline the appointment or seek guidance in advance
Annex: Worked Examples (Guidance Only)
The following scenarios are illustrative and non-exhaustive:
Example 1 – Not Captured
A referee has an uncle involved in a club but has minimal contact (e.g. occasional family events only).
→ Likely not an associate; appointment may proceed.
Example 2 – Likely Captured
A referee regularly socialises with an uncle involved in a club, speaks weekly, and maintains a close personal relationship.
→ Likely an associate; referee should not officiate.
Example 3 – Clearly Captured
A referee’s aunt is actively involved in a club and the referee has frequent and ongoing contact, including direct engagement with club matters.
→ Falls within associate; referee must not officiate.
Example 4 – Borderline Case
A referee has intermittent but friendly contact with an aunt involved in a club (e.g. several times a year, occasional communication).
→ Judgment required; referee should consider perception and, where in doubt, err on the side of caution.
Conclusion
While extended family members are not automatically prohibited categories, they may fall within the scope of “associate” depending on the relationship. The decisive test is whether the relationship could reasonably give rise to a perception of bias.
Members are reminded that protecting the integrity and reputation of refereeing must take precedence in all cases.
Referee Decision-Making Checklist
Conflict of Interest – Appointments
(Based on Regulations of the Football Association of Ireland)
Before accepting an appointment, referees should actively consider the following: Step 1 – Immediate Family
• Is a parent, spouse, child, or sibling directly involved with the club? o ☐ Yes → Do not accept the appointment
o ☐ No → Proceed to Step 2
Step 2 – Associate Test
Ask yourself:
• Do I have a close personal relationship with anyone involved in the club? • Do I have regular contact with them (e.g. frequent communication, socialising)? • Would I be concerned about my ability to remain fully impartial?
• Would an independent observer reasonably question my neutrality? If the answer to any of the above is “Yes”:
• ☐ Treat as an associate → Do not accept the appointment
If all answers are “No”:
• ☐ Proceed to Step 3
Step 3 – Extended Family Consideration (e.g. Uncle/Aunt)
• Is the person an extended family member?
o ☐ Yes → Apply the Associate Test (Step 2)
o ☐ No → Proceed to Step 4
Step 4 – Perception Check (Critical Safeguard)
• Could this appointment give rise to a perception of bias, even if none exists? o ☐ Yes / Unsure → Decline or seek guidance
o ☐ No → Proceed to Step 5
Step 5 – Transparency
• Have I declared any potential conflict where appropriate?
o ☐ Yes → Appointment may proceed
o ☐ No → Declare before accepting
Golden Rule
If in doubt, step out.
Protecting:
• your integrity,
• the credibility of the fixture, and
• the reputation of refereeing as a whole
must take priority over accepting any individual appointment.
Eugene Deering
President ISRS
April 2026
Irish Soccer Referees Society Dublin
Founded 1959