The Spectator

When did football first get referees?

The whistle used by match referee Harry Nattrass during the 1936 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Sheffield United (Getty Images) 
issue 18 February 2023

For reference

The Referees’ Association complained at the level of abuse against officials in amateur football games. Referees go back further than you might think: the first reference to one was in 1842 – meaning someone to whom gentlemanly players might turn if they could not sort out disputes between themselves. The role acquired an extra notoriety in 1874, when referees were first allowed to send players off.  

Who works from home?

Between September 2022 and January 2023, 16% of workers reported working from home only, 28% reported hybrid working, 10% said they could work from home but chose to go to work, and 46% said they travelled to work because they could not work from home. But there are big differences across the workforce.

– Only 6% of 16- to 24-year-olds said they worked from home. 15% were on hybrid working, 14% chose to travel to work although they could have worked from home and 65% went out of necessity.

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