Mark Halsey: Arsene Wenger is right… Premier League referee standards are slipping
Having spoken to other top-flight managers, I know they feel like Arsene — the current crop are not consistently good enough
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I WOULD not disagree with Arsene Wenger’s scathing comments about the standard of Premier League referees.
Having spoken to other top-flight managers, I know they feel like Arsene — the current crop are not consistently good enough.
In fact, they are the poorest set of officials since Keith Hackett left as the head of referees in 2010.
Premier League referees are making the same basic errors week in, week out. It is no surprise to me most managers are so angry due to the lack of quality and consistency of decision-making.
I also agree with Arsene when he says referees are untouchable.
The majority of referees have become complacent because there is no challenge to their positions.
There isn’t any fear they will be removed because of the lack of depth across the country at all levels.
The major issue is there is no quality coaching to help and until that changes we will continue to have the same problems.
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Pep Guardiola is correct when he says referees have a duty of care to protect skillful players. The recognition of challenges has been a big issue this season and it is an area they are not good enough at.
To clarify, there are three different types of challenge under Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct: Careless, reckless and reckless using excessive force.
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CARELESS: When a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. That should just be a free-kick and no caution.
RECKLESS: When a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent. It should be a free-kick and a caution.
RECKLESS USING EXCESSIVE FORCE: When a player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent. That should be a free-kick and a red card.
The latter also comes under the serious foul play category, a tackle/challenge that endangers an opponent’s safety or uses excessive force or brutality must be a red card.
Serious foul play involves any player who lunges at an opponent when challenging for the ball from the front, side or behind using one or both legs with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent.
An example of this was Spurs duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli at Manchester City on December 16.
Kane’s challenge on Raheem Sterling met the criterion of reckless using excessive force or brutality so came under the banner of serious foul play. He should have been dismissed by Craig Pawson but was only booked.
Dele’s lunge on Kevin De Bruyne also met the same criterion and he also escaped with a caution which was poor recognition of a challenge.
As I stated yesterday, Jason Puncheon’s dangerous challenge on De Bruyne came into this category — and he was only cautioned, too.