I received an interesting e-mail the other week from Renfrew in Scotland. I was asked to help somebody whose workmates has raised a refeering query.

An attacker takes the ball around the goalkeeper and taps the ball towards an empty goal. A defender, standing in the penalty area, in absolute desperation, picks up a sod of turf, throws it at the ball, and manages to divert the ball around the post and stops the ball from entering the goal. What action, if any, should the referee take?

If you read this column a couple of weeks ago you will remember an incident had occurred where two footballs collided in midair during a game and the referee awarded a drop ball as there was 'outside interference'.

In this incident, although there is 'outside interference' the defender has caused this interference as he has deliberately thrown the earth at the ball to prevent the ball.

This is a serious offence, as the act of throwing the sod of earth at the ball is the equivalent of handling it, and as such, the referee would award a penalty and send off the player for serious foul play as he has prevented a scoring opportunity by foul means.

The same would apply if he throws his football boot, shin guards or any other object at the ball to prevent a goal from being scored.

If you have played in, or been at, a game where there has been an unusual incident which the referee has had to deal with, please let me know. You can contact me by logging on to the Darlington Referees Society website www.darlingtonreferees.freeserve.co.uk.

Last week a number of local referees received a letter from Durham Football Association informing them of their promotion as referees. Fifteen referees were promoted from level seven to level six whilst another 15 were promoted from level six to level five.

To gain promotion, candidates are assessed on five occasions during the season by Durham FA and they also have to pass a written examination on the laws of the game. Also taken into account are the blub marks referees receive after every match.

Some of the referees promoted to level five will be officiating as assistant referees in the UniBond and Northern Leagues from next season, providing they pass a fitness test.