The opening weekend of the Premier League season would have been incomplete without a manager lambasting a referee. Up stepped Sunderland boss Steve Bruce who expressed his dismay at referee, Anthony Taylor, after his side’s 2-2 home draw against Birmingham City. Bruce was angry at the sending off of his captain Lee Cattermole after he received his second yellow card. Taylor was one of the fast-tracked referees promoted to officiate in the PL this season. Another name on that list is that of Michael Oliver who may yet become the youngest ever referee to take charge of a PL game. Due to the increasing controversy created by fast-tracked referees would it not be sensible for the FA to re-evaluate its policy of rapidly promoting officials for the sake of clubs, fans and the longevity of their own careers?
It is widely acknowledged that being a referee whether at an amateur level or professionally is a thankless job. Physically demanding, the task is made no easier by the frequent haranguing of their actions by fans, pundits, players and managers. Howard Webb was criticised after refereeing the World Cup final this summer despite the game being unmanageable at times. Unperturbed by the fact his Sunderland side had nine players sent off last season, Steve Bruce believes referees victimise his physical team. Cattermole received his second yellow on Saturday for a reckless challenge on Lee Bowyer after getting his first for kicking the ball away. This irked Bruce who labelled the referee “out of his depth” and said, “If you’re going to fast-track people through they have to be exceptional.” He failed to concede that his side were generously awarded a penalty after Steven Carr felled Frazier Campbell outside of the box. However Bruce’s frustration stems from his belief that Taylor, having only refereed for four years, was not equipped to officiate the game. The suspicion and commotion surrounding the hasty promotion of officials seems set to continue.
Stuart Attwell became the youngest PL referee at 25 having been promoted to the select group of officials for the 2008/09 season after just one year in the Football League. He is inextricably linked with the decision to award a phantom goal to Reading when they faced Watford in 2008 and he failed to award Derby two late goals in their clash with Nottingham Forest later that year. Controversy did not cease when he officiated in the PL, sending off two and cautioning seven when Wigan played West Ham in early 2009. Earlier this year Attwell incurred the wrath of the usually reserved Roberto Martinez when he dismissed Gary Caldwell and missed a plethora of penalty shouts in his side’s visit to Eastlands.
The news that the fast-tracked Michael Oliver is likely to become the youngest ever PL referee this season will be met with some fear and trepidation. It is a monumental leap for the referee who turned 25 earlier this year but has made speedy progress through the Conference and Football Leagues. Few would bet against Oliver being tainted with the same comments which have afflicted Attwell and Taylor when he takes charge of a game at some stage this season. This is a highly contestable debate as players and managers have blamed officials for their side’s woes since time immemorial. Yet for the confidence of those involved and the spectators it is surely important that referees are seen to have earned their stripes through varied experience and confident performances in the lower leagues.
One solution to this issue would be to have fast-tracked referees gaining experience in the top flight by assuming the role of fourth official, assisting and advising the referee from the touchline. Oliver has already become the youngest PL fourth official and fast-tracked referees may benefit from being used in that role more often. Bruce was bemused that Taylor was in charge on Saturday whilst the experienced Chris Foy was the fourth official. A more cautionary approach may be required if fast-tracked referees are not to become synonymous with major blunders.
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