Referees are never far from the headlines, being the easy scapegoat for managers when results don’t go their way, but at times they just don’t help themselves.
The current boss Mike Riley has recently stated that mistakes are fewer, while his predecessor Keith Hackett has condemned recent performances and called for several Premier League officials to be dropped from the list.
Riley was a functional referee, to the book.
But he lacked any charisma or personality.
He was an ideal choice to be the referees’ manager because he wouldn’t make any waves, which is just what the authorities want.
In much the same way as a Clough, Allardyce or Redknapp was never ever going to manage the England team, then a Poll, Halsey or Winter was never going to manage the refs.
I don’t know what is going on at present.
There is a total lack of confidence with some refs and some are clearly not up to the standard on current form.
It’s embarrassing to hear Riley spout rubbish when he should be helping and managing the group more effectively .
Hackett was part of the system that helped create the current situation, so it’s somewhat strange that he now is slagging off refs that he was instrumental in promoting and managing.
In my day, there were 10 to 12 referees who could be trusted to officiate any of our highest profile games. Now it’s half that number .
We have two refs in their mid-50s, with no one deemed good enough to replace them.
There hasn’t been any real forward planning in the last 15 years and now we are paying the price.
I don’t see any solution on the horizon and the FA/PGMOL just won’t support the officials and be positive in strong refereeing as they are scared to upset the big clubs .
Refs will never be popular. It goes with the territory and they are human so will always make mistakes.
Their job is all the more difficult with players out to win at all costs and constantly conning and cheating throughout games.
That is where the authorities must step in. It’s not rocket science, hand out retrospective bans for diving.
Treat the on-field cheats as firmly as they do the Tweeters and the refs’ jobs will become easier.
I have long advocated for sin bins to mete out instant punishments, and independent time-keeping and 10-yard advancements for dissent.
All would help the game and officials. It won’t eradicate all the wrongs but it would be a massive step in the right direction .
Refereeing isn’t totally impossible in the current climate, it just requires strong characters who officiate fairly within the laws of the game to be backed up by the authorities.
It’s no different to the Law of the Land.
The role of the policeman is pointless unless the courts deal with offenders in a manner that not only punishes but also acts as a deterrent .
Football has created a cosy, jobs for the boys regime in refereeing and the high salaries that they are on means that no one wants to rock the boat and jeopardise their careers and incomes .
I’m often asked if I miss refereeing. Of course. I miss the involvement of match days, the training and banter, and being fit enough to keep up with play.
But I’m well rid of all of the politics and don’t miss it in the slightest.
To be honest with every word you say being monitored, the art of man management is a thing of the past.
Myself and others like me wouldn’t last five minutes in the modern game.
Having been part of the profession for 25 years, it saddens me to see what has been allowed to happen.
Perhaps Howard Webb might be allowed to have more influence as he has the respect of the referees.
But, unfortunately, those above him have the power and they don’t want radical thinking that might upset the precious big clubs.
Sadly, it will get worse before it gets better.
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