MARK CLATTENBURG DANGER FOR REFS IS LACK OF INTENSITY

THE biggest challenge for referees in a behind-closed-doors environment will be the danger of relaxing too much. When that crowd noise is there you can feel the pressure, the blood flows and the senses are heightened. It was interesting to hear German referee Deniz Aytekin say his heart-rate was extremely low compared to what he would expect during the Dortmund v Schalke derby recently. And that is the fear — referees will be too calm and perhaps complacent. That is when mistakes happen. I refereed a Euro 2016 qualifier between Greece and Romania with no fans and it was eerie. Romania won 1-0 and I felt the away team had a definite advantage, having that hostility removed. I gave a penalty to Romania and no one said a word.

I thought, ‘Have I got this right?’ You will find there is far less backlash from players, in part because that intensity is missing, but also because everything will be audible. I bet managers will have to temper what they say, too, especially with referees being able to send them to the stands. Fitness is a concern. It’s all very well running on a treadmill but twisting and turning, short sprints — that match sharpness takes weeks to build. So, just as with the players, there is an increased chance of injury. One bonus for referees is that there will be no fans waiting afterwards. At Stoke, I used to creep behind the away team bus to get to the officials’ car and make my escape!