THE standard of officiating in the Premier League this season is way below what we expect.
Wholesale changes are needed to right the way to the very top of the refereeing hierarchy to end this decline.

5

Pickford escaped punishment for this tackle on Van Dijk – leading to another debate about the effectiveness of VARCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

We’ve had yet another weekend of poor decisions, topped off by Jordan Pickford escaping any punishment for that shocking challenge on Virgil van Dijk — with VAR not even looking at it.
Michael Oliver will be disappointed he didn’t see the challenge but there were players blocking his view.
I know exactly how he feels, because I missed Wigan winger Callum McManaman’s infamous lunge on Newcastle’s Massadio Haidara seven years ago.
This is when you want VAR to come and help you — when a clear and obvious error has been made.It’s evident things aren’t right with the leadership and direction of management within the refereeing fraternity.

We have got some really good referees and you don’t become a bad ref overnight.Just like players don’t become bad players overnight.
It’s the severe lack of coaching, leadership and direction of our refs that is responsible for indifferent performances.

5

Van Dijk went off injured after being clattered by the Everton goalkeeperCredit: AP:Associated Press

5

Halsey missed the foul by Callum McManaman on Massadio HaidaraCredit: Rex Features
Like with managers — the best coaches turn average players into good players and good players into excellent players.
That’s no different with referees and we have got people now that are coaching at the top level that have never refereed at the top level — or even been referees.

Take, for instance, Adam Watts, who manages the referees. He is a nice guy but has never refereed. He was an assistant ref, who is now a Select Group manager.
He is telling the referees what he wants from them. But you need to have been involved at the top level to know how to handle different personalities and get them onside.
Say, for argument’s sake, it was someone like me. At least I have refereed at the top level, managed games and made mistakes. It is how you move on from those mistakes.

It’s evident things aren’t right with the leadership and direction of management within the refereeing fraternity.

Referees are like players — we both thrive on our confidence. And some referees, like players, need a kick up the backside.Some need a little bit of loving with an arm around them now and again.
But you make a mistake nowadays and you could be put out to grass for three or four weeks, depending who you are.You have the likes of  Oliver, Andy Taylor, Martin Atkinson and, love him or hate him, Mike Dean  — they are all very good referees.

5

VAR was introduced at the beginning of the 2019-20 season – but has only added to controversy surrounding refereeingCredit: PA:Press Association

5

David Coote was the VAR official during the Merseyside derby Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
They are the referees they trust, the guys they don’t trust just pick up the pieces.So you have now got three divisions within the refereeing group — the top order, middle order and lower order.
I don’t blame our referees, I think they are confused. You cannot be an active referee one day and then go into the bunker and do VAR the next day.Leave the active referees to referee and bring in your ex-referees, who have officiated at the highest level and know the game, to do VAR.
We have got the likes of myself, Chris Foy, Phil Dowd, Lee Probert and Roger East who have all recently retired. We could be brought back as VAR operatives because the workload on the current group is too much.

I am not questioning the current referees’ integrity — but you could sometimes suggest they are looking after their mates.
They are all familiar with each other, whereas if you had active officials and non-active officials, then there wouldn’t be that problem.
VAR is there for one reason and one reason alone — has the match official made a clear and obvious error? More

MIKKEL DAMSGAARD opened the scoring in Denmark’s Euro 2020 semi-final defeat to England with a sensational first-half free-kick.The Sampdoria star, 21, was one of the Danes’ best players at the tournament.

Mikkel Damsgaard scored a sublime free-kick in Denmark’s defeat to EnglandCredit: PA
And Damsgaard continued to impress as he put his country ahead at Wembley after half an hour.
An indirect Denmark free-kick resulted in another set-piece closer to goal after Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen was fouled by Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw.
Damsgaard stood over the ball as England formed a defensive wall.
But no amount of bodies could have stopped the following strike.
Damsgaard hit a howitzer of a shot, sending the ball flying over the wall before dipping past Jordan Pickford’s outstretched arms.
The free-kick sent the Danish fans wild in the Wembley stands – and came just five minutes after Pickford had secured an England record.
Damsgaard’s teammates were equally jubilant after coming into the game as underdogs.
But Denmark’s lead last just nine minutes when captain Simon Kjaer turned the ball into his own net.

EURO 2020 FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

Jordan Pickford was left for dead as the ball sailed into the netCredit: Getty

England then went 2-1 up in extra time after Harry Kane fired in a rebound from his saved penalty.
And the Three Lions held on to ride out the final ten minutes, sealing their place in Sunday’s final against Italy.
Damsgaard’s impressive tournament form is sure to attract interest this summer, with Leicester City reportedly eyeing him.
The winger only joined Sampdoria a year ago from Nordsjaelland for £6million.
But the Italians will only sell him for a huge fee, with Fabrizio Romano claiming they want £38m.
Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero said: “I expected Damsgaard to be this good at the Euros, but he is not for sale.
“Either they bring something that makes us excited, or he won’t be sold.
“It’s no longer then same as before when one offer arrived and we would sell the player.
“Now we want to make another stand. We want to keep the footballer, we want to enjoy him.”
COMPETITION: WIN A MERCEDES AMG A45S WORTH £51,000 PLUS UP TO £50k IN CASH
England fans celebrate goal at Euro 2020 semi-finals More

CHELSEA will wear their new 2020-21 home kit against West Ham tonight – and there is a big change on the front of the shirt. The Blues’ £200million sponsorship deal with Yokohama Tyres has ended. Chelsea striker Abraham is loving the new Chelsea kitCredit: Nike/Chelsea Mount is one of the players who will wear the […] More

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE dropped Luke Keeler after just FIVE SECONDS of their world title bout – but the Irishman refused to stay down. Keeler challenged for the WBO title in Miami – moments after YouTuber Jake Paul beat internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’. Demetrius Andrade knocked Luke Keeler down in just five seconds of their fightCredit: Getty Images […] More

THOMAS TUCHEL was left shocked after being told Chelsea had pulled out of the European Super League live on Sky Sports.The proposed tournament was devastated on Tuesday night after ALL six Premier League clubs withdrew following an epic fan backlash.
🗣”I am not aware of any of the politics, I trust the club that they take decisions into consideration that we embrace competitive sport.” Thomas Tuchel reacts to Chelsea pulling out of the ‘European Super League’ pic.twitter.com/NTM9MAjrgY— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 20, 2021

Thomas Tuchel was left shocked after learning of Chelsea’s ESL withdrawal before the 0-0 draw with Brighton
Chelsea were the first club to officially pull out of the European Super LeagueCredit: AP
Chelsea were the first English club to announce the decision, with Manchester City following suit before the remaining four later joined them.
But as the drama unfolded, Chelsea’s squad were left in the dark as they were stranded on the team bus ahead of their game at Brighton.
Shortly before kick-off in the 0-0 draw, Blues chief Tuchel was asked for his thoughts on the club pulling out.
Clearly surprised by the news, Tuchel – live on Sky Sports – said: “Nothing… I spent the last 45 minutes on the bus.
“No, I don’t know anything about that.”
Tuchel went on to give a passionate backing to the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
The German boss continued: “What I know, and this is my personal opinion, is that I am at a super-competitive club.
“That’s why I’m here and that’s why I was so excited to join this club.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

“I trust the club to know it’s all about competition.
“This is what I feel – and the dressing room. This is what I feel at Cobham.
“This is what everybody feels when they watch the team play.”
Tuchel explained: “We were fighting so so hard to go to the Champions League semi-final.
“We were giving everything in the FA Cup – the oldest, most traditional cup.
“We were giving everything – we left our heart and soul on the pitch to make it to the final.
“So we are competitive.
“I’m not aware of any of the politics – I was not aware, I’m still not aware.
“I don’t know enough. I trust the club to take decisions [knowing] that we embrace competitive sport.”

Meanwhile, the European Super League have released a statement claiming the tournament will still go ahead despite clubs dropping like flies.
As well as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, reports claim AC Milan and Inter Milan have also withdrawn their interest.
Other reports have suggested Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are considering their stance.
That would leave just Juventus and Real Madrid as the only two founder members after TEN quit.

⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
All SIX Premier league ‘giants’ pull out of European Super League as Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs finally quit More