Fifa assistant Dan Robathan medically retires after spinal tumours
September 25, 2026 09:31
WHAT HAPPENED
Dan’s symptoms began as pain he and others assumed was sciatica or ordinary wear and tear. A neurosurgeon later found two tumours in his spine. “I saw a neurosurgeon who told me I had two tumours, initially I thought it was one, but it was two,” he told BBC Newsbeat. The growths were compressing nerves and required immediate treatment. He was told there was a risk to motor nerves that could affect leg function: “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.”
MEDICAL RECOVERY
The tumours were non-cancerous but Dan described his post-operation recovery as “brutal.” He reported ongoing problems including bladder and sexual dysfunction: “I started having quite bad problems with sexual dysfunction or bladder issues where I'd have to sit down to urinate and I couldn't stand up.” By September 2025 he knew something was seriously wrong: “It got to a point in September [2025] where something's not right at all.” By Christmas 2025 he was still fatigued and struggling to lift his heel, walk, or feel his calf. His surgeon gave him slim odds of returning to the field: “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.”
CAREER AND IMPACT
Robathan began officiating at age 10 and progressed to oversee more than 200 Premier League matches and World Cup qualifiers. When he stood on the Wembley touchline for the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City he described it as “a privilege to stand there on behalf of over 37,000 referees across the country.” After months battling to regain mobility and fitness, Dan said this week that he has been forced to medically retire, saying in effect "the decision was made for me". He has spoken about needing time to “grieve” his career while holding on to hope for the future.
KEY FACTS
- Robathan officiated the FA Cup final in May 2025.
- He was diagnosed with two benign spinal tumours and underwent surgery.
- Symptoms began as suspected sciatica; later included bladder and sexual dysfunction.
- By Christmas 2025 he was still significantly impaired.
- His surgeon estimated under a 10% chance of returning to the field.
- This week he announced a medical retirement.