Referee Chief Howard Webb Supports Continued Freelancing by Officials Despite Controversy
Following the recent VAR controversy in the Tottenham vs. Liverpool match, Referee Chief Howard Webb has made the decision to allow officials to continue their freelancing practice. This decision comes after it was revealed that the VAR on the day, Darren England, had worked in the United Arab Emirates just 48 hours prior to the match, leading to concerns about the impact on Premier League officiating.
The Football Association (FA) and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) agreed to review the rules in response to the criticism. However, despite scrutiny, a recent report by The Telegraph states that the policy remains unchanged.
Webb, a former referee himself, has stated that there is “no link” between England’s trip to the UAE and the mistakes made during the match between Liverpool and Tottenham. He clarified that no referee has been sent outside of UEFA since then and any future requests would be evaluated on their own merits, with approval required from the PGMOL board.
The issue of officials working in the Middle East raises questions about what is best for the Premier League. Some officials, including Michel Oliver, Dan Cook, and Stuart Burt, have had to return home from the UAE just over 24 hours before domestic fixtures.
Another concern is the potential conflict of interest regarding Manchester City’s ownership. As the Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE is Sheikh Mansour, who also owns Manchester City, some may question whether Premier League referees working in the UAE could be influenced by this connection. It is important to note that there is no evidence of any corruption or improper influence.
While Webb’s decision allows officials to continue freelancing, it may not be considered best practice due to the controversies and potential conflicts of interest involved. It remains to be seen whether further changes will be made to address these concerns.