Furious Championship clubs ‘demand crisis talks with referees’ chief Mike Riley because officials aren’t fit enough and are making blatant mistakes’ after Norwich lodged complaint to the EFL and FA
- The issue of refereeing standards dominated Thursday’s Championship meeting
- Clubs are reportedly angry about the standard of officiating this season
- They say referees aren’t fit enough and blatant mistakes are being made
- Second-tier clubs have demanded a meeting with PGMOL chief Mike Riley
- It came after Norwich complained to the EFL and FA about ref Darren England
Championship clubs have reportedly demanded a crisis meeting with referees’ chief Mike Riley after complaining about the poor standard of officiating this season.
Second tier clubs have concerns over the fitness of referees taking charge of games and also believe blatant mistakes have been made.
The issue dominated Thursday’s monthly meeting of Championship clubs, according to The Daily Telegraph, with many of the 24 clubs in the division ready to hold talk with Riley, who heads the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), who control refereeing in the professional game.
Referees have come under fire from Championship clubs with concerns including a lack of fitness and blatant mistakes that are deciding games in the second-tier
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock complains to the referee during their match with Preston North End in the Championship on Wednesday night
Clubs said they had been shocked at the standard of officiating in Championship matches this season, saying mistakes were affecting the outcome of games.
Norwich City reportedly made an official complaint to the EFL and the Football Association about the performance of referee Darren England during their 3-1 defeat to Luton Town at the start of this month.
Luton’s Luke Berry went unpunished after appearing to celebrate his team being awarded a penalty by throwing his hands around England’s neck.
Several Championship clubs have demanded a meeting with referees’ chief Mike Riley
Norwich complained about referee Darren England (left) after his performance at Luton
City also felt the assistant referee missed an obvious offside decision because he was involved in an exchange with their manager Daniel Farke.
They also felt their players and backroom staff were treated disrespectfully.
Now wider concerns about the standard of refereeing in the Championship have emerged with answers demanded of Riley.
PGMOL, which is funded by the Premier League, EFL and the Football Association, control refereeing in English football’s top four divisions.
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