Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Refereeing standards dropping, says Halsey
FORMER top-flight referee Mark Halsey believes Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson’s scathing criticism of officials was accurate – claiming standards have been gradually declining year-on-year, due to a lack of man management and leadership at the top of the profession.
For the third time in four Sky Bet Championship games this season, Pearson complained about match officials, as in the wake of Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Luton he claimed he has considered retiring from the game given refereeing is now at an “all-time low”.
City were denied a penalty for what appeared a clear trip on Rob Atkinson and, moments later, referee Leigh Doughty refused to match Mark Sykes’ red card with a dismissal for Luton midfielder Luke Freeman despite him barging the Robins midfielder to the ground.
Halsey, who officiated in the Premier League from 1999 to 2013, has cited a lack of personal care and attention to how young officials are managed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) – the body responsible for the match officials in England – under the leadership of Mike Riley, who is stepping down as general manager at the end of this season after 13 years in the post.
“Nigel wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s a good football man. Sometimes you wonder, ‘Why has he come out and said things like that?’, well, perhaps he has to, because when he writes back to Kevin Friend (who now looks after Championship referees for the PGMOL), I guess he feels nothing gets done,” Halsey told Bristol Live, the sister website of the Daily Press.
“I can understand his frustration with the level of performance from referees at present. The standard has been dropping year on year since Mike Riley replaced Keith Hackett.
“I don’t blame the referees, it’s the leadership and direction that comes from the management. I always say: average football players get turned into good players, good players into excellent players, when you have good coaches. And that is no different to refereeing.
“It’s about giving young referees confidence, leadership and direction – some referees need a kick up the backside, some need an arm around the shoulder. It’s man managing the dressing room. It’s no different to a group of players. It’s about managing a group of men and, unfortunately, the PGMOL management don’t know how to, and lots of other guys will say the same who have left.”
City will hope for a strong referee when they host Cardiff in tomorrow’s Severnside Derby at Ashton Gate.