PGMOL to hire former players as referees to improve officiating

Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) is looking at an interesting way to improve refereeing in England. The body responsible for soccer officiating in the country has been under constant fire in recent months. This includes a host of issues, mostly the application of VAR, throughout the current campaign.

Howard Webb, PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer, has attempted to combat pressure on his referees by appearing on the television show Match Officials: Mic’d Up. In the series, the former Premier League referee discusses recent major decisions in English top-flight matches. The move, however, has not exactly eased concerns about the state of officiating in the league.

Nevertheless, there are now reports claiming that Webb plans on hiring new English refereeing recruits. Not only does PGMOL want to refresh their current group of officials, but they want to do so with former players. 12 recently retired professional soccer players expressed interest in becoming referees. Webb likes the idea and is currently working on ways to fast-track the former stars into their new roles.

News outlet claims thousands of refs have quit due to abuse

The decision comes as Mail Sport has launched a campaign called ‘Stop Abusing Referees.’ The news outlet is attempting to reduce abuse by coaches, players, and fans towards referees. According to the report, 10,000 soccer officials have left their roles in the last five years. The report attributes the departures to mistreatment on the job.

One of these referees to step away from the sport is Rhys Baldwin. The former ref spoke to the publication on his decision to end his career as an official. “I’ve had knives pulled on me. I’ve had people try and get me fired from my job,” stated Baldwin.

“I’ve had my car keyed. I’ve been stopped on the street and screamed at for a good 15 minutes in front of all my friends. That was when I was 16, I had that happen.”

Baldwin’s story is…

Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/pgmol-to-hire-former-players-as-referees-to-improve-officiating-20231128-WST-473289.html

Author : Chris Moore

Publish date : 2023-11-28 17:39:49

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