Premier League and FIFA assistant referee Dan Robathan has retired on medical grounds after tumours were discovered in his spine. The 38-year-old was part of the officiating team for the 2025 FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
Just a year later, Robathan spoke to the BBC about being forced to walk away from his career after doctors discovered benign tumours in his spine. Symptoms he initially believed were caused by sciatic nerve pain were found to be linked to the tumours, which required immediate surgery.
Tumours discovered and surgery
"I saw a neurosurgeon who told me I had two tumours, initially I thought it was one, but it was two," the FIFA assistant referee told BBC Newsbeat. "It was compressing nerves, there was a chance it could affect a motor nerve which means it could affect function in my leg. I needed to go home, lay down and not move. I did that for 15 days, my life turned upside down overnight."
Surgeons removed one of the tumours while leaving the other untouched after it was determined safe to do so. By the end of 2025, however, Robathan was still suffering from fatigue and struggling to lift his heel, walk properly or feel his calf.
"The surgeon said I had under a 10% chance of ever getting back on the field but even then I was like 'I don't care I will prove everyone wrong'," he added.
Retirement announcement
Ultimately, he was forced to medically retire, explaining that, in effect, "the decision was made for me."
Announcing his retirement on Instagram, Robathan wrote: "After 28 years, it’s official, I’ve medically retired from professional refereeing. The tumours in my spine took the thing I’d built my whole life around, and I’ve grieved it, I’m still grieving it, honestly."But I’m not done. Not by a long way. Everything I’m building now is only just getting started. Thank you for being here."
A Pro Ref statement read: "Premier League and FIFA assistant referee Dan Robathan has retired from match officiating on medical grounds. We’ve been supporting Dan with his desire to return to the field following a health issue that necessitated spinal surgery.
"Despite everyone's best efforts, that has unfortunately proved to not be possible, but our hope is the surgery and recovery can still see him lead a healthy and active life for himself and his family beyond professional officiating."
Career and future plans
Dan officiated in 203 Premier League matches and over 200 EFL and domestic cup fixtures, serving the game with professionalism and the highest possible standards week-in, week-out. Thank you for your contribution to the game, Dan. We wish you all the very best for the future."
Robathan is working with a psychologist to decide the path forward. "I feel like a 16-year-old who's just left school and trying to work out what I want to do with my life," he went on to say. "I have a few options, staying in football."[But] I don't know if I will be able to with the mental health problems I've had. Can I stay involved in a sport that I loved but can't do myself?
"I want to put my son, fiancée, my stepchildren first. I want to try and advocate for men's mental health, for men speaking about health issues. If I can help one or two men in the process, I've done my job."
