08 Nov 2021 15:18:08
Players make mistakes, they face finds and suspensions, managers make mistakes and face the ultimate sanction of the sack, but it seems that match officials, no longer the part timers, but well paid professionals, they walk away from their mistakes and on to the next match, surely the time has come for them to be held to account, with both fines and suspensions, and to have them answer in public when guilty of grave errors.

1.) 08 Nov 2021
08 Nov 2021 15:26:40
I don't think that would work at all to be honest, mate. Players get fined for a multitude of reasons, usually to do with discipline. They will get fined for picking up cards etc but I think you will find it hard to find a player who has been fined for a bad pass or missing a sitter. So, considering referees are human, why would they get fined for a mistake?
There have been instances of officials being dropped for a week or two. I think that's the only way they hold then accountable.

2.) 08 Nov 2021
08 Nov 2021 15:32:22
Couldn't agree more JCW. They should at least have to sit a couple of games out, and for my money they should do a post match interview like the managers do. Previously you could argue unfair when they haven't had time to see things back (like the players/ managers often don't! ) But that's not the case now. Should be able to ask them, having looked at that replay 5 times why did you come to conclusion x, y or z? It's not asking for much, they are extremely highly paid pros with immediate access to TV replays for any close calls. so why shouldn't they explain the decision they have made from those replays based on the black and white laws of the game? They seem completely infallible. Holgate sent off yesterday for endangering a player, richarlison almost cut in half against Burnley but no free kick (out injured for a month) but neither decision will be classed as incorrect. they're a total farce and disgrace to be honest. Must admit though I get some amusement from watching Dermot Gallagher go on TV and agree with every single decision refs have made every week. even if he's too thick to realise what a twat it makes him look I'm surprised his friends/ family don't let him know!

3.) 08 Nov 2021
08 Nov 2021 19:08:24
I agree refereeing decisions are all over the shop and there is very little consistency and there should be some sort of redress when match officials get it wrong.

However to say they are well paid professionals is stretching it somewhat. Compared to the average person a wage of £40k per year is probably well paid. However when they are working with average premier league players that earn that amount in a week and are also having to deal with the abuse of 1000’s of fans each match I wouldn’t say they are well paid. Personally I’d want far more than £40k per annum average premier league refs are on.

{Ed025's Note - for 90 minutes a week i would say they are very well paid dan, and dont forget the expenses mate..

4.) 08 Nov 2021
08 Nov 2021 20:16:33
You know that the 40k is basic right? Pretty much like a retainer. And they then get paid in excess of £1000 for each and every 90 minute match they referee. They are professionals (it became that way a number of years ago) and for me that is rather well paid. So the absolute minimum a prem ref can expect to earn for referring a sport is in excess of what an MP earns for representing tens of thousands of constituents, getting abuse over serious issues (rather than fans shouting about free kicks and that) and for me that makes them rather well paid.

5.) 08 Nov 2021
08 Nov 2021 20:20:35
And interestingly. in most of Europe (and from what I've seen there's a generally higher standard of refereeing) the refs get paid per match only. Perhaps focuses the mind a little knowing that if you play by your own rules some weeks like ours do then the league might not call on you the next week and thus you wouldn't earn anything in that week.

6.) 08 Nov 2021
08 Nov 2021 20:25:45
The thing is Ed if you think £40k per year with 1.5k per game is well paid for a ref then we can't really complain when they are not up to the task. La liga pat 250k Euro and 6k per game Bundesliga 42K-60K Euro 3.5K per game. The old saying pay peanuts get monkeys springs to mind.

{Ed025's Note - its relative to how good they are i suppose sa, our refs are way behind compared to the european ones imo mate..

7.) 09 Nov 2021
09 Nov 2021 06:52:51
Having proffesional refs does not make them better. If they are not good enough it doesn't matter what the are paid and this bunch of cheats that we have are simply not good enough. This lot are a bunch of egotistical buffoons and as always it comes doen to who kisses the most arse to get on and let's not forget the dirty cheat collina.

8.) 09 Nov 2021
09 Nov 2021 09:07:07
Totally agree Ed the European refs do perform much better than the PL shower.