It was May 2025 and life was good for Premier League and Fifa assistant referee Dan Robathan. Years of climbing the football ladder had paid off, and he was running the line at the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City. But just months after this career highlight, symptoms Dan thought were sciatic nerve pain and wear and tear were revealed to be benign tumours in his spine, which needed to be operated on immediately.

BBC Newsbeat met Dan at a football pitch in Norwich, close to where he lives, where he revealed the struggles he has had in trying to regain his fitness and mobility. Dan picked up his first flag at 10 years old, working his way up from grassroots football to the lines at more than 200 Premier League clashes and World Cup qualifiers. He said it was a privilege to stand there on behalf of over 37,000 referees across the country.

A neurosurgeon confirmed he had two tumours in his spine, and his life ground to a halt. Surgeons removed one tumour and left one alone, deemed safe. The 38-year-old still has days where he struggles to walk, or where his back feels on fire. Dan is working with a psychologist to decide the path forward, and wants to put his son, fiancée and stepchildren first, while advocating for men's mental health.