Red cards for refs

AS SOMEONE who has football running through his veins — I played the game at amateur level from the age of 11 to 31, then refereed to the age of 61 — I can’t believe what I have been watching this season.

So many matches have been ruined by incompetent referees and linesmen. The pundits seem to be afraid of criticising officials. Football is a simple, beautiful game, but it is being destroyed.

Players grabbing or holding opponents are committing fouls — we are not playing rugby! VAR (video assisted referees) technology should be scrapped, apart from at the goal line. There should be no slow-motion replays as they make incidents look worse.

Had I made on local parks some of the decisions I have seen being made by Premier League referees, I would have been laughed off the pitch. LEE SALISBURY,

Chorley, Lancs.