Referees

In a nutshell

Every match has a referee, and matching your aggression to how they officiate is one of the most important calls you make before kickoff.

The two attributes

Strictness (1-9)

How much the referee tolerates physical play. Strict refs call fouls on everything, lenient refs let the game flow. This is the attribute you match your aggression against.

Rating (1-9)

How well the referee reads the game. A high-rated ref sees dangerous tackles coming and catches dives, a low-rated ref misses the extras on marginal fouls and can be fooled by divers.

The three types

Lenient (strictness 1-3)

Lets the game flow. Tolerates rough play. Divers thrive against low-rated lenient refs, and rough teams can intimidate opponents for the whole 90.

Normal (strictness 4-6)

Balanced. Normal aggression is the sweet spot. Rough play picks up extra fouls, but you can usually get away with it.

Strict (strictness 7-9)

Card happy. Only cautious play stays inside their tolerance. Rough play against a strict ref invites a stream of cards and a real risk of straight reds.

Aggression fit

Each referee tolerates a different level of aggression. Match your aggression to their tolerance to stay within the safe zone. Every step you go over tolerance means more fouls, sloppier tackles in dangerous areas, and a higher chance of red cards.

Aggression	vs Lenient	vs Normal	vs Strict
Cautious	Safe	Safe	Safe
Normal	Safe	Sweet spot	Pushing it
Rough	Dominant	Pushing it	Dangerous

Intimidation

When you foul hard and the referee doesn't card it, the opposing team gets rattled. Uncalled rough play builds up an intimidation effect that quietly drains their composure, significantly cutting the effective skill of their players on the pitch. The effect decays quickly once you stop, but against a lenient referee you can keep the pressure on for the whole match.

Why lenient refs are deadly

This is why rough play against a lenient ref is so dangerous for the opposition. You rarely get carded, and every uncalled foul chips away at their game.

Traits that matter

Diver wins extra free kicks and can steal soft penalties against low-rated refs. A sharp ref will overturn the decision.

Big Mouth picks up more yellows from stricter refs.

Reckless on a rough team, a high rating referee (one who reads the game well, regardless of strictness) is far more likely to call a straight red on this player.

Penalty fouls any foul in the penalty area still earns at least a yellow card.

Cards have consequences

Booked players play within themselves. Once a player picks up a yellow, they play more cautiously for the rest of the match — one mistimed challenge could mean a second yellow and an early shower. A booking is a real cost, not just a warning.

A sent-off goalkeeper is replaced. If your keeper sees red and you still have a substitution left with a keeper on the bench, the substitute keeper comes on automatically and your weakest outfield player makes way. Only when the subs are gone or the bench has no keeper does an outfield player pull on the gloves.

Tactical considerations

Scout first

Scout the referee before every match. Their name, rating, and strictness are shown on the next match card, in the squad manager next to the aggression dropdown, and on the match prep page.

1

Against a strict ref. Drop to cautious unless you can afford to lose players to cards.

2

Against a lenient ref. Go rough. The intimidation buildup can be the difference in a tight match.

3

Against a normal ref. Normal is the safe bet. Rough works but you will pick up more cards.

What to do

Check the referee before kickoff and set your aggression to match their tolerance: cautious against strict, rough against lenient, normal against the rest.