Premier League referee told to say he didn't see incidents.

Agent Coulson

So this could be interesting when it comes to appeals over cards in the future.

An ex-Premier League referee has claimed that he was told to say that he did not witness incidents during matches.

His comments come in the wake of the three-match ban for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero for striking West Ham defender Winston Reid with his elbow.

Aguero was not punished during the match and in those situations the Football Association cannot act if the referee has seen an incident and included it in his post-match report.

Mark Halsey, who refereed in the Premier League between 1999 and 2013, tweeted to say that he had been "in that situation when I have seen an incident and been told to say I haven't seen it."

He later added that it was not the Football Association but rather the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

https://twitter.com/RefereeHalsey/status/771628305954975744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/RefereeHalsey/status/771996466336456704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/GNev2/status/772001342399188992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/GNev2/status/772011485333684225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

http://www.newstalk.com/ExPremier-League-ref-says-he-was-told-to-say-he-hadnt-seen-incidents-that-he-had-witnessed

GLaDOS

While it is dodgy for sure, not dealing with serious incidents because the ref says he saw it is also ridiculous. You can see it as a way for the referee to save face and let justice be done.

Adamcp898

Typical Halsey thing to do.

Don't see the issue here or how anyone could be surprised either tbh. It's not as if this has led to players ever being wrongfully suspended for something they didn't do and if anything actually goes along with the calls to extend retrospective punishment and gives refs an out for making bad calls in big incidents that there are every season.

matrim

The question is, did he comply? He should also say what incident it was and who asked him to do it.

Mars Bar

If they got rid of that stupid rule about the ref seeing things and actioning then there would be no issue.

Agent Coulson

I think is the main key to it video evidence should be used whether or not the referee saw the the incident.

Upgrading or downgrading cards and bans should not just come down to a match reports when every single game these days has cameras covering every area of a pitch.


These reports then lead to the FA and it's crazy appeal process that seems to make it up as it goes.

dfx-

Retrospective action regardless is such a good idea that this shouldn't be a big deal and encouraged..

Flint Fredstone

Mars Bar wrote: »

If they got rid of that stupid rule about the ref seeing things and actioning then there would be no issue.

I thought they did in a way?

Don't see why this is causing such outrage online tbh. The referee has a split second call and isn't going to get everything right. It can be best for everyone involved when something blatant goes unpunished in the game.

bucketybuck

Do people really want the refs to write in their report something like, "I thought I saw the player catch the defender with his elbow but it was only out of the corner of my eye and I wasn't sure so I didn't do anything"?

Of course not, far better in those cases that he says nothing and allows these things to be reviewed. If he thought no action should have been taken then he says so, if he just doesn't know then best for everybody for him to feign ignorance.

Its just common sense and this is a non-story.

Laois_Man

Not sure where it comes from, but folks on Facebook saying Halsey also said:

"We've been told to give a certain amount of corners or throw ins, fouls bookings etc. The Premier League is rife with spot fixing and bias towards certain clubs from the FA. Every referee in the Premier League could be in front of a court one day soon"


.....If he said that, it's certainly not a non-story

(although how exactly do you give a certain number of corners and throw-ins?)

bucketybuck

Laois_Man wrote: »

.....If he said that, it's certainly not a non-story

If he said that, its not really even the same story.

johnnyryan89

How come it has taken him three years after his retirement to come out with these statements. This just strikes me as somebody who hasn't been relevant in a few years looking for publicity.

Kerrigooney

I wonder if he has a book coming out...

StringerBell

I have to say, knowing him on a personal level I would be shocked if the quote where he accuses the FA and referees in general of being corrupt is accurate. He is a lot of things, but stupid is not one them.

The incident he was referring to was the one between N'Zonzi and Shawcross which he was happy to not give a red card for, and says he felt under pressure to say he did not see it since his bosses were not happy with his assessment of the situation. He also implies Lee Mason was under the same pressure with the Rooney swearing thing, though that is obviously hearsay.

The man has a big ego but I don't think he would be foolish enough to leave himself open legally by making accusations such as the one someone said is going around on FB.

From what I saw he only commented on the retrospective action thing.

Giggsy11

I think it's to save referee. How odd it would be if ref said I saw Aguero throwing his elbow at Reid but thought it was not card worthy? Just saying ref didn't see would ensure justice is done but just late.