{"id":530,"date":"2026-07-05T23:41:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T18:41:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=530"},"modified":"2026-07-05T23:41:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T18:41:48","slug":"93-year-old-soccer-referee-credits-porridge-for-his-matchday-stamina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=530","title":{"rendered":"93-year-old soccer referee credits porridge for his matchday stamina"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"beyondwords-wrapper\" data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"beyondwords-wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"label-bg\">NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">At 93, sprightly referee Frank Foster is still brandishing red and yellow cards and running the field three times a week for his local soccer association.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">Having taken charge of around 5,500 matches over a 46-year officiating career, SWNS reported that the great-grandfather <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_lifestyle_article_main-content_article-body_6_5891033\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/health\/healthy-living\/longevity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">credits his longevity<\/a> and match-day stamina to a lifetime of healthy habits and a foundational diet.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Foster puts his incredible fitness down to the strict wartime rations he was fed as a teenager, noting that it ensured he grew up eating &#8220;healthy food&#8221; rather than &#8220;sweets and cakes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_lifestyle_article_main-content_article-body_6_5891034\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/health\/fitness-expert-reveals-pillars-strength-training-older-adults-should-master\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS 6 PILLARS OF STRENGTH TRAINING THAT OLDER ADULTS SHOULD MASTER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Decades later, his game-day preparation is still <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_lifestyle_article_main-content_article-body_6_5891035\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/health\/nutrition-and-fitness\/nutrition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">fueled by wholesome nutrition<\/a>, always starting with a morning bowl of oatmeal, cereal, or marmalade on toast to give him the energy to last the full ninety minutes.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The meal keeps him active enough to referee men&#8217;s, women&#8217;s, and children&#8217;s games, a hobby he jokes he will never blow the final whistle on.<\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/worlds-oldest-referee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/worlds-oldest-referee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/worlds-oldest-referee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/worlds-oldest-referee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/931\/523\/worlds-oldest-referee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1862\/1046\/worlds-oldest-referee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/720\/405\/worlds-oldest-referee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1440\/810\/worlds-oldest-referee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/worlds-oldest-referee.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"The world's oldest footage referee is still dishing out red and yellow cards.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Frank Foster started refereeing in 1980 and still officiates men&#8217;s, women&#8217;s and children&#8217;s games around three times a week.<\/span> <span>(SWNS)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">His sharp mind and authoritative presence on the field are just as strong as his physical endurance.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">A former military veteran who aced his referee exam in 1980 with a 98 percent score, Foster relies on old-school discipline to keep matches under control.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_lifestyle_article_main-content_article-body_6_5891036\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/health\/common-fitness-mistakes-older-adults-make-how-avoid-them-better-workouts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>7 COMMON FITNESS MISTAKES OLDER ADULTS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM FOR BETTER WORKOUTS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He believes modern elite officials are too &#8220;soft&#8221; and allow player antics to ruin the sport. To maintain order and keep players from acting out, he lays down strict ground rules before kickoff. He has no patience for intimidation or theatrical diving, stating, &#8220;Those who go down like they have been shot, well I would just book them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He is equally uncompromising when squads try to crowd him on the field.<\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/worlds-oldest-ref-young.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/worlds-oldest-ref-young.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/worlds-oldest-ref-young.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/worlds-oldest-ref-young.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/931\/523\/worlds-oldest-ref-young.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1862\/1046\/worlds-oldest-ref-young.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/720\/405\/worlds-oldest-ref-young.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1440\/810\/worlds-oldest-ref-young.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/worlds-oldest-ref-young.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Frank Foster before he became a referee.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Frank Foster before he became a referee.<\/span> <span>(Frank Foster \/ SWNS)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t let them surround me at all,&#8221; Foster told SWNS.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_lifestyle_article_main-content_article-body_6_5891037\" href=\"http:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;I would say to the players &#8216;stay where you are&#8217; and &#8216;if you move one more inch, I will give you a yellow card&#8217;. You need to stamp your authority and let them know who is in control.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/newsletters?cmpid=fnfirstnl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He also avoids the modern stress of video reviewing plays, which he believes creates unnecessary &#8220;aggression and disappointment&#8221; over microscopic offside calls, adding, &#8220;I think it spoils the game.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/343\/192\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/686\/384\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/672\/378\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1344\/756\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/931\/523\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1862\/1046\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/720\/405\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1440\/810\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1200\/675\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"FILE PHOTO - Frank Foster. \/\/ The world's oldest footage referee is still dishing out red and yellow cards AGED 93 - and reckons he can still teach \" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Foster credits his longevity to war time rations, adding that he avoided sweets.<\/span> <span>(SWNS)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Sometimes it is only the player&#8217;s toe which is offside \u2014 it is ridiculous.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_lifestyle_article_main-content_article-body_6_5891039\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/lifestyle\/quizzes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Foster says he &#8220;never thought&#8221; he\u2019d still be doing this at 93, but he makes the most of that gift.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He keeps his kit freshly washed, making sure it is &#8220;neat and tidy&#8221; for when he <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_lifestyle_article_main-content_article-body_6_5891041\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/health\/nutrition-and-fitness\/fitness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">gets on that field<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Foster also scrubs his black Adidas boots after every game making sure there are &#8220;nice and clean&#8221; for his next match.<\/p>\n<p> <!----> <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p>Khloe Quill is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/lifestyle\" target=\"_blank\">lifestyle<\/a> writer with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! At 93, sprightly referee Frank Foster is still brandishing red and yellow cards and running the field three times a week for his local soccer association. Having taken charge of around 5,500 matches over a 46-year officiating career, SWNS reported that the great-grandfather credits his longevity and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":531,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/worlds-oldest-ref.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=530"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/531"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}