There's a good article on the BBC website about the role that English referees are playing in educating their counterparts from around the world. Referees get a hard time in the Premier League week in and week out, and it might be hard for many fans, players and managers to believe that they are the best in the world, but it is true nonetheless. Imagine what the standards are like elsewhere in the world, and how apoplectic Neil Warnock or Alex Ferguson would be if they had to coach in another country.
Recent criticism of Howard Webb has suggested that he would embarrass England at the World Cup, and whilst the risk of a Graeme Poll-esque mistake is always possible for any referee, it is far more likely that Webb will be one of the best most qualified referees at the tournament, especially when it comes to dealing with the pressure of a big game. It is worth remembering complaints at past World Cups about the standard of refereeing from other countries' representatives, which suggests that, despite the odd mistake, those in the English game should be thankful for what they have.
2 comments:
The incident with Graham Poll was blown hugely out of proportion.
A referee could not only go one season without doing anything close to that, but they could go for five seasons, ten, maybe a whole career.
If they think that's bad how about the player that got four red cards in one game?
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17022010/58/four-red-footballer-banned-years.html
Or nineteen red cards in one game?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/jan/06/spain-referee-jose-manuel-barro-escandon-recreativo-linense-saladillo-de-algecirasr-d
That is impressive, it sounds like the player has really honed his skills for getting sent off.
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