Current group of refs "worst we've seen" - Former Referee Boss
- Thread starter Wednesday at Stoke
- Start date
He isn't wrong. Mistakes after mistakes, same old bollocks. It will never change until technology gets involved.
bulshit claim.
No Atkinson on that list is a joke.
No Atkinson on that list is a joke.
He's right but his list of names is too short.
Still, it's nice to see this being acknowledged, hopefully it leads some something.
Still, it's nice to see this being acknowledged, hopefully it leads some something.
Finally someone said it, it certainly feels like it's worse than usual.
Neil Swarbrick too.
It's kinda strange - you have 2 extra helpers and goalline technology - still they are worse than ever.
I still feel referees should have post match interviews/conferences or something similar.
It'd humanise them to an extent, and if they can admit their mistakes I think people would sympthasize with them to an extent.
As it is they're these untouchable figures of authority who think their above everybody else on the football pitch. It'd also bring them some respect from the players, if they admit their mistakes.
It'd humanise them to an extent, and if they can admit their mistakes I think people would sympthasize with them to an extent.
As it is they're these untouchable figures of authority who think their above everybody else on the football pitch. It'd also bring them some respect from the players, if they admit their mistakes.
Graham Poll did it once, and the match pundits criticised him for doing so, saying he was making the game all about himself.
It really is bad if Hackett has come out and said that, he's normally very quick to back the referees.
The fact it was an isolated incident probably didn't help him. If it was normal procedure it'd be quickly accepted imo.
Also the personality/how they come across of the referee will have a bearing on how they're perceived and therefore if it is a successful movement. If they're cocky and arrogant, of course they'll be disliked even more.
Here's his blog post:
TIME FOR A REVIEW
One thing is certain: Professional Game Match Officials Limited cannot continue without a fundamental review of its operations.
The PGMOL is failing in its aim to DELIVER EXCELLENCE ON THE FIELD.
This season we have all witnessed many disastrous performances and big game-changing errors. I share the view of one former top referee that the current group of professional referees is the worst that we have seen.
The latest big game decision error was the stupid dismissal of Wayne Routledge of Swansea City who himself was on the receiving end of a reckless challenge.
It is unbelievable that a so-called top referee should make such a mistake.
It is my view that the board of the PGMOL should return to its original constitution with the chief executives of The FA, The Football League and Premier League reviewing the current PGMOL operation.
Here is a suggested list of action that needs to take place:-
APPOINTMENT OF NEW REFEREES TO PGMOL
A list of potential recruits needs to be in place now. The pool of Football League referees and Premier League assistant referees should be examined in detail so that a list of names is secured and in place.
Tierney, Attwell, Stroud and Scott received this season an appointment to a Premier League game. Are they the future?
This group will then attend a series of weekend get-togethers where their potential will be thoroughly tested.
FITNESS
DECISION MAKING ABILITY
PSYCHOMETRIC TESTING
REVIEW OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
It is plainly obvious that the current system is not working so return to the well-tested system that was in place when I left.
At these meetings it is essential that the general manager gives clear LEADERSHIP.
This is the responsibility of the general manager so the service contract of Keren Barratt will not be renewed.
Those referees in form to receive regular appointments.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW PANEL
Save expenditure by dispensing with this panel. It is this process that has undermined the confidence of our group of match officials. Instead:-
Those are my suggestions on changes. Currently performances are going in the wrong direction. Action needs to be taken to stop the regression.
TIME FOR A REVIEW
One thing is certain: Professional Game Match Officials Limited cannot continue without a fundamental review of its operations.
The PGMOL is failing in its aim to DELIVER EXCELLENCE ON THE FIELD.
This season we have all witnessed many disastrous performances and big game-changing errors. I share the view of one former top referee that the current group of professional referees is the worst that we have seen.
The latest big game decision error was the stupid dismissal of Wayne Routledge of Swansea City who himself was on the receiving end of a reckless challenge.
It is unbelievable that a so-called top referee should make such a mistake.
It is my view that the board of the PGMOL should return to its original constitution with the chief executives of The FA, The Football League and Premier League reviewing the current PGMOL operation.
Here is a suggested list of action that needs to take place:-
- Dispense with the services of the current PGMOL General Manager
- Dispense with the services of Keren Barratt
- Bin the Invigilators; this performance review procedure is not working
- Appoint Headhunters to find a new general manager. Howard Webb, Peter Walton, Hugh Dallas, should be invited for interview
- The PGMOL Management team would no longer require the attendance of Neale Barry, FA “Head of Senior Refereeing.” I suggest that he has failed to deliver a succession plan and few referees of any quality are coming through
- Re-assert what is required from the manager of the National List. More National List referees need to be developed in the succession plan
- MIKE JONES
- ANDRE MARRINER
- LEE MASON
- CHRIS FOY
- LEE PROBERT (IF HE FAILS FITNESS TEST)
APPOINTMENT OF NEW REFEREES TO PGMOL
A list of potential recruits needs to be in place now. The pool of Football League referees and Premier League assistant referees should be examined in detail so that a list of names is secured and in place.
Tierney, Attwell, Stroud and Scott received this season an appointment to a Premier League game. Are they the future?
This group will then attend a series of weekend get-togethers where their potential will be thoroughly tested.
FITNESS
DECISION MAKING ABILITY
PSYCHOMETRIC TESTING
REVIEW OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
It is plainly obvious that the current system is not working so return to the well-tested system that was in place when I left.
At these meetings it is essential that the general manager gives clear LEADERSHIP.
- Referees need to meet on a weekly basis to discuss decision-making accuracy
- This is done by DVD review and debate and discussion
- The bar on fitness levels needs to be improved. Re-engage a sprint coach to improve the referees’ dynamic sprinting
This is the responsibility of the general manager so the service contract of Keren Barratt will not be renewed.
Those referees in form to receive regular appointments.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW PANEL
Save expenditure by dispensing with this panel. It is this process that has undermined the confidence of our group of match officials. Instead:-
- Coach Reports
- DVD Review of big decisions
- Delegate Reports
- Performance Statistics
Those are my suggestions on changes. Currently performances are going in the wrong direction. Action needs to be taken to stop the regression.
Could be partly the reason. Maybe they think since they have more bodies out there, they'll have someone to cover them.
Said this about Moss early in the Tottenham game and it proved to be right.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United (FA Premier League)
He was blowing out of his arse about 15 minutes in as the game started so quick going from end to end. Then you could see him start to give innocuous little fouls and pull the game back to "talk to someone" and it was all just to give himself a breather.
Absolute bollocks when you consider both teams had obviously opted for a high intensity first half hour to catch the other out on a day both would fatigue. He did his damned hardest to slow it down to his own pace. He should be fecking sacked.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United (FA Premier League)
He was blowing out of his arse about 15 minutes in as the game started so quick going from end to end. Then you could see him start to give innocuous little fouls and pull the game back to "talk to someone" and it was all just to give himself a breather.
Absolute bollocks when you consider both teams had obviously opted for a high intensity first half hour to catch the other out on a day both would fatigue. He did his damned hardest to slow it down to his own pace. He should be fecking sacked.
Hrrmmm. Don't agree at all with his Routledge take. Maybe it's a bad Youtube video, but he kicks out.
Doesn't matter if he was fouled prior to that.
Doesn't matter if he was fouled prior to that.
I remember a GIF some time ago on rawk when when they asked SAF who his most important signing that summer and it was an official. Every match at least one team will feel hard done by, it's just the beautiful game.
This. Human error has made the beautiful game what it is today, love it or loath it we'll still watch it no matter what. We've been conned time and time again out of games by referees but it adds to the excitement. Nothing better than winning a game of football when the refs decisions are going against us.
Was it Smalling last week that handled the ball in the box? Squeaky bum time indeed.
It's the type of decisions they get wrong. And that some of them are plain obvious.
Any discussion about bad refs that doesn't mention the Rafael/Vardy incident is incomplete, as far as I'm concerned. The worst, most perplexing non-call/call I've ever seen. I can't remember the ref; Clattenberg perhaps?
He's right. The refs this season have been beyond woeful.
You'd struggle to find a match these days without the ref playing a big part. With that said, as someone who's refereed a few matches, I don't think a lot of people have a clue how hard it is to ref, especially at an extremely competitive and high level.
Who is the best ref in the prem or perhaps the least worst? I'd say Phil dowd and the worst has to be Mason btw.
I find it bemusing that in a game that has world class athletes at the prime of their lives running around in their zones for 90 minutes, we have middle aged men trying to keep with with them all over the field to try and officiate the matches.
I hear this a lot and it's absolute bollocks to be honest.
When there's a refereeing error that affects the outcome of the game it leaves one side feeling frustrated and the other deflated. Look at the Real Madrid match where Nani was sent off. Completely ruined the game as a spectacle and afterwards various Real fans I know said that wasn't the right way for that match to be decided. It was such a tight game.
It's the football and competition that makes the beautiful game what it is. Having some fat tosser make the wrong decision is what spoils it.
It's an impossible job but equally the current crop are making a very bad job of it.
Clattenberg is probably the most consistent. His main problem though is that he likes to call at least one controversial decision in a big game to enhance his reputation as a big decision maker.
That is true. But at the same times, these guys are at the pinnacle of the profession. The best of the best.
You could also say 'current players are biggest cheats ever'. If they were accountable afterwards for the simulation etc. it might deter them from it and actually make the game cleaner and easier for the refs.
True.
I doubt the top league refs are actually the best of the best. They're the ones who are suicidal, masochistic, and depressed enough to accept the job (and/or thick as pig shit enough to not care about hundreds of million people being outraged at you).
Human error by the players yes, refs no. It's a beautiful game in spite of the refs.
A noble sentiment but Arsenal fans at Saints didn't see to err being human.
I should point out I agree with your earlier post. Extremely difficult job.
I'd have to agree that ref standards are poor, but I doubt it is the worst it has ever been. More of a chase of camera's capturing and highlighting every little detail these days. Though it does raise the question, of why we haven't moved to use those same cameras to help the refs.
It would help a great deal if the FA/PGMO demonstrated some conviction and long term policies for once.
It might also be of no little benefit were players to possess an accurate grasp of what is, and is not permissible. Both they and pundit operate from their own little rulebook half the time.
It might also be of no little benefit were players to possess an accurate grasp of what is, and is not permissible. Both they and pundit operate from their own little rulebook half the time.
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Can't say I disagree, the standard has been appalling recently. It's not just the refs making poor decisions, it's the particular type of decisions which are game changing when everyone can see the officials have got it wrong.
I know this article is concerning the Premier League, but there was one particular call at the World Cup last year that I can still remember because of how frustrating it was. In the 3rd place match, Robben was through on goal and was fouled by Silva outside the box which the ref gave as a pen. Now the decision to award the spot kick instead of a free kick was poor, but to then not send off Silva when everyone can see has to be a red is so annoying and it's that sort of thing that is simply inexcusable.
Edit- video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28173517
Look at the reaction on the forum from post 102 onwards: https://www.redcafe.net/threads/day-24-brazil-vs-netherlands.393276/page-3
I know this article is concerning the Premier League, but there was one particular call at the World Cup last year that I can still remember because of how frustrating it was. In the 3rd place match, Robben was through on goal and was fouled by Silva outside the box which the ref gave as a pen. Now the decision to award the spot kick instead of a free kick was poor, but to then not send off Silva when everyone can see has to be a red is so annoying and it's that sort of thing that is simply inexcusable.
Edit- video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28173517
Look at the reaction on the forum from post 102 onwards: https://www.redcafe.net/threads/day-24-brazil-vs-netherlands.393276/page-3
The decision to not send players off at the World Cup during the big matches is a FIFA guideline I reckon. Look at Webb's decision to keep De Jong on for his chest kick. Absolutely ridiculous and a red card in every other league and cup world wide.
But people hate how the game changes when it goes to 10v11 so it's avoided.
This.
This season has been really bad in terms of refereeing compared to the recent ones. Surprised how Atkinson manages to give these kind of lists a slip time and again.
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It wasn't great before, but it's fecking nosedived into the toilet this season.
There have been performances in some matches, which if the equivalent had been delivered in the private sector would of led to instant dismissal.
There have been performances in some matches, which if the equivalent had been delivered in the private sector would of led to instant dismissal.