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      Pickford blunder shows Prem needs MAJOR changes in refereeing… let us old boys be VARs

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      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.

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      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.

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

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      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.

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

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      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

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      Every Prem ref ranked from top whistle-blowers to worst officials including one who is ‘too aggressive’, by Mark Halsey

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      PREMIER LEAGUE referees are due to be paid “performance-related” bonuses for the first time this season.
      Our 32-page special magazine looking ahead to the start of the Premier League season highlights this issue – it’s free in The Sun on Sunday today.

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      Our man Mark Halsey says Michael Oliver (above) will be disappointed with some of his performances last seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      SunSport’s whistleblower Mark Halsey delivers his verdict on who deserves a top-up in their bank account following last season.
      Here’s his opinion on who are the best and worst referees in the top flight…
      A band – top class
      Martin Atkinson – The 49-year-old is like a bottle of vintage red wine – he gets better with age. He’s No1 Prem ref just ahead of Michael Oliver after consistent performances.
      Michael Oliver – Still one of our top refs but by his own high standards I’m sure he will be disappointed with some aspects of his performance including the Villa Park goalline tech controversy.

      Mike Dean – Love him or hate him but he’s another consistent performer that the PGMOL management trust to deliver in the high-profile games. Never afraid to make the big decisions.

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      Mike Dean, like him or loathe him, he is still one of the best in the Premier League, says Mark HalseyCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Graham Scott – The PGMOL wanted Scott removed from the Select Group One two years ago on performances but he won his appeal and he’s never looked back. His man-management of games is up there with the best.
      B band – very good
      Anthony Taylor – Given the most number of Prem games alongside Atkinson and Oliver. Had some very good displays but hasn’t officiated to his full potential given his status.
      Chris Kavanagh – Third season in the Prem and he’s raised his game to another level. He goes about his business quietly and efficiently.

      Paul Tierney – Steady campaign, has a calming influence on the players, always ensures he gives himself thinking time and doesn’t go looking for trouble.
      C band – good
      Stuart Attwell – Worked hard at his game since he returned to the Premier League in 2014 after he was deselected for two years and has made good progress ever since.
      David Coote – Second full season at the highest level, he’s done well again. Unfussy in his performances, accuracy in decision-making is good and is heading in the right direction.
      Andy Madley – Potential to become a very good referee after a decent debut in the Prem. He’s calm, doesn’t flash yellow cards around and manages the game well. Hopefully he is tested with higher-profile games next season.
      Peter Bankes – Impressive first season in the top-flight, he referees with a smile on his face which players like and as the campaign wore on he grew in confidence at this level.

      D band – average
      Craig Pawson – Had high hopes for the Yorkshire referee but mixed decision-making from the Uefa official has seen his performance level go backwards.
      Jonathan Moss – Inconsistent season due to the accuracy of his decision-making and on top of that he always seems to be involved in VAR controversy.

      Kevin Friend – Over-officious and too aggressive in his body language towards the players and that sets the wrong tone for the game.
      Lee Mason – Appointed to Select Group One in 2006 but the fact he’s been given only 16 games highlights a lack of confidence from the management in him.
      Simon Hooper – Every referee finds his level, Hooper is a nice guy but, unfortunately, I believe the Prem is one step too far for him.

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      Kevin Friend is “too aggressive” in his body language, says HalseyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Former Russian star Roman Shirokov punches ref referee Nikita Danchenko and kicks him while on floor More

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      Mike Riley must QUIT as refs’ boss after wave of Premier League VAR blunders, says Mark Halsey

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      MARK HALSEY has called for refs chief Mike Riley to quit after the latest set of Premier League blunders.
      Under-fire VAR chiefs admitted they cocked up with THREE penalty errors at Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Everton alone on Thursday night.

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      Mike Riley should quit as refs chief, says Mark halseyCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Fernandes was awarded a penalty for stamping on Konsa on ThursdayCredit: AP:Associated Press
      West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has reiterated VAR should be scrapped and former top ref Halsey wants Riley to leave his post.
      Halsey said: “Everyone has a shelf-life and the time has come for Mike Riley to step down.
      “We have seen a steady decline in the standard of officiating and things are getting worse.
      “The implementation of VAR has been a disaster and the buck stops with Mike.

      “We need an overhaul and the time is now for change.”
      Ex-Fifa and Prem ref Keith Hackett, who was replaced by Riley as the PGMOL manager in 2009, has also called for an overhaul after blasting the Prem’s use of the technology as “embarrassing”.
      He tweeted: “I would never question a referee’s integrity. They are incompetent.
      “The PGMOL needs a complete change. We are operating VAR in this country against the lawmakers’ protocols.

      “It’s frankly embarrassing.”
      On Manchester United’s fortunate penalty and Spurs striker Harry Kane also being denied a clear spot-kick at Bournemouth, Hackett fumed: “Never a penalty kick in a million years.
      “Such poor decision making, how can they also miss the blatant push on Harry Kane.”
      Southampton also won a penalty at Everton although James Ward-Prowse initiated the contact on Andre Gomes.
      Fifa has taken over the implementation of VAR from the IFAB and Pierluigi Collina has warned officials they must not show the “wrong kind of solidarity” with colleagues by failing to correct their mistakes.
      Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has demanded that refs give post-match media interviews to justify their decisions.
      Mourinho is fuming that Harry Kane was denied a stonewall penalty by on-field ref Paul Tierney and VAR official Michael Oliver in Thursday’s 0-0 draw at Bournemouth after having a goal controversially disallowed in last week’s defeat at Sheffield United.

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      Harry Kane was denied a penalty despite a clear shove against BournemouthCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Mark Halsey has called on Mike Riley to quit his postCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Asked whether refs should speak after matches, Mourinho insisted: “Yes, it’s very important.
      “They are very important in the game. A game is players, managers, referees.
      “It would make things much more open, much more clear.
      “It would give the referee the opportunity to say ‘Yes, I made a mistake – I feel sorry for that’ or ‘Yes I had incredible performance’ or ‘yes I was perfect’.
      “I think they are very important in the game, as important as players.”
      Oliver, who was also the VAR official for Tottenham’s controversial defeat at Sheffield United defeat, will take charge of tomorrow’s North London derby against Arsenal.

      But Mourinho said: “I cannot speak about it, I don’t like to speak about it.
      “I feel free to comment on referees’ performances after the performances but I know I can’t by the legal point of view make any comment before matches.”
      And Mourinho revealed that he no longer celebrates goals because of VAR.
      He said: “I don’t celebrate goals anymore, because I never know if it is a goal or not a goal.
      “Even if I have the feeling it is, but maybe something happened six or seven seconds before that I didn’t realise, and then it is not a goal.”

      MARK HALSEY ON REFEREEING DECLINE

      OVER the years we have seen a steady decline in the standard of Premier League officiating.
      Everyone has a shelf-life and the time has come for Mike Riley to step down.
      Mike has been in charge of the officials for over a decade since replacing Keith Hackett in 2009 but things are getting worse.
      The implementation of VAR in the Premier League this season has been a disaster and the buck stops with Mike because he is the general manager.
      This is not me being bitter and twisted because I am no longer involved as an active official.
      I am passionate and care deeply about our officials and believe it would be the same if Mike was in a management job in any other industry.
      And in football, it’s no different to when Jose Mourinho or David Moyes have been sacked for poor results.
      It should be the same for the staff of the PGMOL for their performance levels.
      If I was the Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, I would be deeply concerned.
      Everything about the Premier League is brilliant, it’s the most watched league around the world because of the quality and entertainment on the pitch.
      The Prem have done a fantastic job to get football back following the pandemic and allowing fans to access the games but the one thing that is letting the league down is the standard of officiating and the current use of VAR.
      We are seeing basic errors on a daily basis from our so-called elite referees.
      Clubs, managers, players and fans are all extremely unhappy with what is going on. I don’t blame the match officials solely.
      We have some excellent referees so you have to look at the leadership, direction and management of our top officials – and that’s down to Mike.
      Good coaches turn average players into good ones and decent players into world class ones.
      That is no different for referees. From what I am hearing within the refereeing world, we have a severe lack of quality coaching of our Select Group One officials.
      Don’t be fooled, I have been told by active officials that they aren’t happy with the current situation.You can see the refs aren’t enjoying what they are doing.
      There are no smiles on faces. Some officials have concerns but do not want to be seen to be stepping out of line with the management amid fears of the consequences.
      We need a complete rethink, particularly on how we use VAR.
      It has to change to regain the credibility of the Premier League. We don’t want to be continually talking about the referees and the technology.
      We don’t hear from the management and there does not seem to be any accountability.
      We want openness and transparency. We also need clear direction because we are seeing far too many inconsistencies with refereeing decision-making, whether that is on the field or the VAR.
      I said at the start of the season we needed to follow the IFAB protocol, which is used properly in the Champions League, and that meant the on-field referee must view the monitor on all subjective decisions.
      I could foresee the problems that would arise and by not doing so it has been a major mistake by the PGMOL.
      No wonder then that Fifa want to take control of the VAR process.
      Another major problem is the workload of officials and the suitability of active refs doubling up to be VAR officials.
      I’m not questioning the integrity of referees but I don’t see how you can be an active ref as well as a VAR official.
      It is two different skill sets. It’s not just about knowing the laws of the game, you have to have an understanding of football.
      VAR hasn’t been the only problem. The offside and handball laws have also been a mess.
      We need an overhaul and the time is now for change.

      Jason Cundy is furious with VAR about Man Utd penalty given to Bruno Fernandes against Aston Villa More

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      Referee Atkinson says wife and brother’s frontline war on coronavirus puts VAR flak into perspective

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      REFEREE Martin Atkinson ruefully recalls when VAR was the biggest issue in English football. But with his wife and brother at the NHS frontline in this coronavirus crisis, the Premier League whistler does not need a second opinion about what is most important. Martin Atkinson’s wife and brother are both on the NHS frontline of […] More