A Call for Reform: Ex-Refs’ Chief Slams English Officiating
Former Premier League referee chief Keith Hackett has issued a scathing critique of English officiating, calling for the removal of referee Michael Oliver and advocating for significant changes to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. Hackett’s criticisms come in the wake of a series of high-profile blunders, including a delayed red card for a dangerous tackle and an exceptionally long VAR review that marred recent FA Cup matches.
The Millwall Tackle: A Dangerous Incident Ignored
The incident that has drawn the most ire is the tackle by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during their FA Cup clash. Roberts launched a flying kick to Mateta’s head, a move so reckless that it resulted in Mateta being hospitalized. Despite the severity of the challenge, referee Michael Oliver failed to even award a free kick. It was only after VAR intervention that Oliver issued a red card to Roberts, a decision that should have been immediate and unequivocal.
A Flawed VAR System: The Bournemouth Fiasco
The problems extended to another FA Cup match, where Bournemouth faced Wolves. In this game, a Milos Kerkez ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside after an astonishing 8-minute and 11-second VAR review. This delay, which Hackett likened to a tea break, has been widely criticized for disrupting the flow of the game and undermining the integrity of the VAR system. The incident also highlighted the ineffectiveness of the new Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT), which is meant to expedite and improve offside decisions.
Hackett’s Demands: A 120-Second Review Limit
Hackett, who has long been a vocal critic of the Premier League’s Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), has called for a maximum 120-second VAR review time to be introduced. This limit, he argues, would prevent such prolonged and distracting delays. Hackett also suggests that referees should be allowed to make their initial decisions without waiting for VAR input, a practice he deems as arbitrary and ineffective. According to Hackett, if referees are to rely so heavily on VAR, the entire system might as well revert to using tarot cards or bingo balls.
The Decline of English Refereeing: A Wider Issue
The former refs’ chief attributes these repeated errors to a broader decline in the quality of officiating in English football. He believes that the PGMOL, under the leadership of Howard Webb, is incapable of delivering top-class officiating. Hackett’s criticism extends to the PGMOL’s decision to implement the SAOT at this stage of the FA Cup, a move he deems premature and ill-conceived. Hackett has previously accused the PGMOL of being run by a group of amateurs, operating more like a Mayfair Gentlemen’s Club than a professional body.
A Game-Changing Moment: The Need for Action
The cumulative effect of these incidents has led Hackett to declare that this is a game-changing moment for English football. He argues that the Premier League and the PGMOL must take immediate and decisive action to restore confidence in the officiating and the VAR system. Hackett’s call for Michael Oliver to be removed from his post and given a mandatory rest period is a clear indication of the severity of the situation. The integrity of the game and the safety of the players are at stake, and the time for reform is now.
