Assistant referee Dan Robathan, who officiated the FA Cup final in May 2025, has seen his promising football career brought to a halt by benign tumors discovered in his spine. What he initially believed to be sciatic nerve pain and wear and tear was diagnosed as two tumors compressing nerves, posing a risk to motor function.
Robathan, 38, described the diagnosis as life-altering. "I needed to go home, lay down and not move. I did that for 15 days, my life turned upside down overnight," he told BBC Newsbeat. He also experienced significant sexual and bladder dysfunction, which prompted him to seek medical attention in September 2025.
Surgeons were able to remove one tumor, while the other was deemed safe and left in place. Despite this, Robathan continues to face challenges with mobility, experiencing days where walking is difficult and his back feels intense pain. "My body just can't do what I want it to do," he stated.
Having dedicated 28 years to officiating, starting at age 10 and progressing through grassroots to over 200 Premier League matches and World Cup qualifiers, Robathan is grappling with a loss of identity. "I've been 'Dan the ref' since I was 10 years old," he said. "It's 28 years of being who I am, it's my personality."
He is currently working with a psychologist to navigate his future. While he acknowledges the possibility of staying involved in football in some capacity, he is uncertain if his mental health struggles will permit it. "Can I stay involved in a sport that I loved but can't do myself?"
Robathan is prioritizing his family and intends to advocate for men's mental health and encourage open discussions about health issues among men. "If I can help one or two men in the process, I've done my job," he expressed. He remains committed to returning to the sport only if he can rediscover his passion for it.