English Football League

BOBBY MADDEN has lifted the lid on the power English clubs hold over referees.The former Fifa whistler retired in the summer after a season taking charge of games down south.
Bobby Madden quit the game in Scotland to go and further his career in EnglandCredit: Kenny Ramsay
Madden had achieved all he’d set out to as an official in Scotland and wanted a fresh challenge in EFL League One.
But he hung up his whistle for several reasons, including being stunned at how the observer marking system is weighted in the clubs’ favour.
Madden, 45, said: “There were challenges and a different mentality in how they manage situations from an FA and PGMOL point of view.
“The clubs pay them, so they have control over officials.

“One of the frustrations which didn’t affect me directly is the clubs have 40 per cent of the mark that’s given to a referee.
“Essentially you need to appease the clubs to get on, so anyone going into that system needs to referee with that in mind.
“It’s difficult when you’ve refereed to a level with an observer system then you have a club system like that. It’s difficult for the referees.
“There were good referees in League One and Two, but would they turn a blind eye to obvious simulation or clear dissent or foul or abusive language? I saw it happen.
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“I think that’s one of the challenges they have.
“Each club has 20 per cent of their mark.
“In Scotland it’s one observer and you receive one mark and it’s the same with Uefa.
“In England the assessor only has 20 per cent. They also go to a panel and review it, so it was a new system.
“The clubs and players and managers know they are marking you.
“I’ve heard comments like, ‘Just remember who’s marking you’. The clubs know they have that power.
“It’s a challenging environment for referees coming through.
“I didn’t change my tactics, though. I just managed games the way I always have.
“I was probably known for not showing that many yellow cards and I tried to follow that, but it’s probably a more difficult arena to do that in.”
Madden was also disappointed by the quality of the game down south, despite its bold claims, and the lack of respect shown by players towards officials compared to Scotland.
He said: “In England the football and the teams are very well organised. The surfaces and facilities are good.
“But I was disappointed with the football.
“League One there compares to the bottom three or four in our Premiership and League Two compares to the Championship.
“But England are very good at marketing their leagues, so people believe it’s high level.
“Of course it’s very well organised, but the level of football probably wasn’t what I expected.
“I was still fortunate to referee some decent games in League One.
“In Scotland teams play against each other four times a season or whatever, so there’s a lot of repetition and it’s the same with referees.
“You’ll referee each team five or six times a year. Take that over ten years and you are in a lot of contact with the same people so you build up a relationship.
“They might not agree with your decisions and players will use foul language and I’ll use the same type back.
“In England that level of respect isn’t there because of their approach, but it was maybe because I was a new face that they didn’t know.
“They’re also in that arena where they’re very well paid, they have a fantastic environment and there’s maybe a degree of entitlement.
“I did find a lot of players difficult to deal with and they didn’t like to be challenged.
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“In Scotland I liked the banter and to give a bit back and have that relationship.”
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