We caught up with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker following a weekend full of controversial refereeing decisions which has led to continued discussions throughout the week. The former footballer shared his thoughts on recent Premier League refereeing moments which have sparked a lot of debate.
In This Article:
- Should Referees Face the Media?
- Are Premier League Referees Too Close to Players?
- Can Referees Truly Be Impartial?
- Parker’s Bold Solution: Bring in Foreign Referees
Should Referees Face the Media?
Michael Oliver has found himself in the headlines again over the past few days following his controversial decision to send off Arsenal’s Myles Lewis Skelly during the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend. The decision has since been overturned by the FA, but not before an onslaught of outrage online at the decision. However, the disappointment from football fans seemed to tip over the edge when the PGMOL released a statement condemning the abuse directed at Oliver and his family. The balancing act between holding referees accountable and protecting them from barrages of abuse has been another talking point, and Parker isn’t sure about the long term benefit of refs engaging in post-match interviews. While he acknowledges the desire for referees to justify decisions, Parker warns that forcing them into the media spotlight could do more harm than good.
“I’d love to see referees being held accountable by giving interviews but it gets difficult because we’ve got so many egos in journalists these days that they’ll keep pushing them and not leave them alone. It would make them too prominent, and they would be too much out there. There’s too many people out there who would twist things around too much.”
“Sometimes you do want to be firm with the referees and ask their reasonings for the decisions. A few years ago, I would have agreed that referees should do interviews with the media to explain their decisions but I look at what we’ve made referees now, it would take it to the next bit which is wrong.”
“Michael Oliver getting hassled in the streets—we don’t know if it’s true or not.
Parker also questions the PGMOL’s claim that Oliver and his family were harassed following the Arsenal game.
“Michael Oliver getting hassled in the streets—we don’t know if it’s true or not. But it’s an easy thing to throw out there, saying he’s being threatened, because when you say things like that, it seems to push the focus away from the actual decision.”
Are Premier League Referees Too Close to Players?
One of Parker’s main criticisms is the level of familiarity between referees and players, which he believes can lead to bias influencing the decision making of referees.
“I think there’s too much familiarity with our referees now. They’re human beings, they’re going to bear grudges—individually and with clubs. It happens in everyday life. If someone wrongs you, and an opportunity comes to get something back, most people would take it.”
Can Referees Truly Be Impartial?
The question of referee impartiality has been widely debated on social media. Parker argues that referees will inevitably carry subconscious biases as that is something that all humans cannot control.
“I believe that happens, and it’s human nature. It’s hard to control. You look at some referees when they give out yellow cards—their faces, it’s like they’re enjoying it. Some decisions are random. Is it corruption? Maybe not. But is it bearing a grudge? If a player constantly swears at a referee and disrespects them in front of others, the referee might think, ‘I can’t let this keep happening.’ But since they can’t respond verbally, they might subconsciously retaliate in another way. And what are they? A referee.”
VAR Controversy: Why did VAR not change Lewis-Skelly’s red card?
VAR has once again come under fire after failing to overturn Lewis-Skelly’s red card. It did intervene at the time against Wolves, and they didn’t change the decision as they agreed with Oliver’s assessment of “serious foul play” at the time. With the FA now rescinding the decision after a successful appeal from Arsenal, serious questions have been raised.
“We need to change the system. I don’t think referees who officiate on the pitch should be anywhere near VAR. We should have different people, so there’s no relationship between the referee and those in the VAR office—or in that ‘broom cupboard near Heathrow Airport’ as they call it.”
Parker’s Bold Solution: Bring in Foreign Referees
Parker suggests that the Premier League should consider bringing in referees from overseas to minimise bias and over-familiarity with players, managers, and clubs.
“Invest in referees from overseas who’ve got no relationship with anyone here. Fly them in and fly them out. If Michael Oliver can go to Saudi Arabia to referee a game on Thursday, surely we can fly in refs for a Wednesday night match. Cut down the hours of Premier League referees, cut their money, and bring in independent officials. That way, we avoid complacency, familiarity, and potential grudges.”
“There’s money being wasted in the Premier League. People are earning money for doing nothing. So why not use that money to improve officiating? It might actually make football more entertaining.”
No doubt VAR is the talking point most weeks now in the Premier League, and it feels like it is getting close to reaching boiling point. Something will most likely have to change in order to stop the weekly refereeing debates.
