Time For Howard To Go?

As we pass the halfway point of the 2024/25 football season, it seems to many (if not all) fans across the country and professional leagues, we are witnessing a continued decline in refereeing standards.

Whether it is VAR or general game refereeing, it feels as if the standard of officiating is simply not up to the levels required and demanded – in fact, it seems as though standards are dropping rapidly.

We have seen the retirement of a number of senior referees in the last couple of seasons and those coming through the system do not appear to be up to the job, consistently making basic errors, regularly getting the big decisions wrong and/or hiding behind VAR (in the Premier League) by not making any decision at all!

The situation often leaves fans of all sides scratching their heads in anger and confusion as the seemingly obvious appears not to be when judged by the ‘guys/girls-in-black’.  Consistency also seems impossible to achieve when this group of so-called, elite officials take charge of a fixture.

The Premier League introduction of VAR was supposed to clear up any controversial refereeing calls, but in all honesty, we appear to have even more controversy than prior to its introduction!

Take the recent Newcastle versus Villa fixture which saw Villa’s Jhon Duran red-carded for an alleged ‘stamp’ on Newcastle’s Fabian Schar – VAR communication, unbelievably released by the referees governing body (PGMOL), revealed an absolute shambles of a process, with referee Anthony Taylor actually guessing what had happened based upon what part of the body he saw Schar rubbing!

This was despite being advised by his 4th official AND a VAR team member, who had seen and reviewed the incident,  that it was only a yellow-card offence – ‘Im going red’ should see Taylor relegated from top-flight games for a considerable time.  The VAR process was obviously also flawed as once Taylor issued a red card, they were to timid to advise him to look at a replay on screen – a shocking decision, compounded by an absolutely disgraceful process!

…So, where does blame lie?

I’m afraid that responsibility for poor refereeing standards and shambolic VAR management must rest with Chief Refereeing Officer, Howard Webb!

Webb has been in charge of England’s referee’s since 2022 and the decline in standards since his appointment have been glaring – Webb must accept that his management of both refereeing and VAR has been a failure – Stepping down from his role must be the solution to the current situation!

Finally – another quick shout-out to Tamworth FC and their recent FA Cup run, culminating in a fixture against Premier League giants, Tottenham Hotspur – Everyone at the club from owner Bob Andrews to part-time staff and volunteers should and can be very proud!

Image Credits: Katie Chan via commons.wikimedia.org &  AnnRos via pixabay.com