Ex-referee Dan Robathan on using his mental health experience to help others
A year after running the line at the 2025 FA Cup final, Robathan lost his career after doctors found benign tumours in his spine.
Former assistant referee Dan Robathan, who ran the line at the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City in 2025, has spoken to BBC Newsbeat about losing his officiating career after doctors found benign tumours in his spine.
Robathan said he now wants to use his own mental health experiences following the diagnosis to help others going through similar difficulties.
The discovery of the tumours brought an end to his time as a match official at the top level, only a year after he had taken part in one of English football's showpiece fixtures.
Robathan's account forms part of wider coverage by BBC Newsbeat on the mental health challenges faced by sports officials and athletes when injury or illness forces a career to end unexpectedly.
Sources
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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