Premier League refs to train with players?

REFEREES in the Premier League may be training alongside the players and even refereeing their training matches, according to Mail Online. Manchester United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who proposed this at a meeting between managers and PGMO referees boss Mike Riley, feels that this would allow the players and referees to breakdown any negative preconceptions.

But what about the practicality of such a scheme? First let’s look at how referees train at present, although things might have changed since Mike Riley took over.

The arrangement has been that all the

PGMO referees are brought together once a fortnight, where they train under the supervision of the sports scientist.

They also view videos of some of their games and discuss the decisions made and I know when Ray Olivier was their development officer, he conducted quizzes on the Laws of the Game.

The rest of the training is done at home or perhaps a local gym. The PGMO sports scientist issues a list of activities they have to carry out and record by wearing an electronic vest. The results are emailed to the sports scientist who can tell if anyone was slacking,

Now the practicalities of the change, Which clubs would the referees be allocated to, would it be the nearest to their home?

Take Berks & Bucks only Premier League referee, Graham Scott, who lives in

Oxfordshire.

His nearest ground would be in Surrey, But of course, not all clubs have a training ground at Chobham in Surrey, where their highly paid players can afford to live.

Perhaps Graham could join them there.

Have you tried to get to Chobham early in the morning? I have.

How about Michael Oliver who lives in Northumberland.

If Newcastle fail to avoid the drop, where is he going to train?

If the referees were restricted to one club would they ever be appointed to officiate their matches.

When Reading gained promotion to the Premier League, their players felt discriminated against, because referees used first names to their opponents but never to them.

The FA is very keen on first names, I attended a development day when we were recommended to learn the first name of all the players as it made for better management to say ‘back another four yards Charlie’. rather than ‘back another four yards please.’

But is being pally with players, all it is made out to be?

Listen to Italian referee, Daniele Orsato. ‘On the pitch I am serious and gruff, which makes be strict and even tough’.

Daniele refereed the 2020 UEFA Nations League final and is likely to be the oldest World Cup referee in Qatar.