How should a referee determine if a foul occurred?

To determine if a foul has occurred, the referee must rely on their observations of player actions and the context of the play. This involves closely watching the interaction between players, assessing whether any actions were deliberate or reckless, and understanding the overall flow and rules of the game. The referee's judgment is based on their position on the field, their ability to see the entire play, and their understanding of the laws of the game.

Asking players for their version of events may lead to biased interpretations and could undermine the authority of the referee, as players may provide subjective accounts that do not accurately reflect the events. Relying solely on assistant referees is not sufficient, as the primary responsibility of making decisions about fouls rests with the center referee, who has the best view of the action. Reviewing video footage is not an option during live matches, as referees make real-time decisions based on what they observe on the field. Thus, the most accurate and effective way to determine whether a foul occurred is through keen observation and contextual understanding of the play.