The Professional Game Match Official Limited (the body in charge of officiating Premier League matches) has denied claims made by former match referee, Mark Halsey.
Mark Halsey, who retired in 2012-13, came out and alleged PGMOL for telling match officials to overlook certain incidents while reporting to the Football Association (FA). Halsey’s claims come in the wake of the 3 match ban imposed on City’s Sergio Aguero after he elbowed West Ham’s Winston Reid. Andre Mariner, the match official in the game, didn’t see the event as a bookable one and let it go. Manchester City appealed against the ruling claiming the referee was close enough to judge the incident.
Halsey took to twitter to make the allegations:
“I have been in that situation when I have seen an incident and been told to say I haven’t seen it,” said Halsey on Twitter, adding: “To be fair to the FA … it comes from within the PGMOL”
PGMOL responded to the claims:
“Match officials submit their reports, including critical incidents, directly to the FA. Match officials ensure that their reports are a full and accurate description of the incident. There is no pressure from the PGMOL to include or omit anything.”
Mark Halsey faced a similar incident as Andre Mariner, when he was “pressurized” by his “bosses” to say that he had not seen an event (referring to a game between Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City in 2011) when he had actually seen one and deemed it as a non bookable offence. As a result, Steven N’Zonzi received a three match ban because the match official denied having seen the incident
“My bosses weren’t happy. I was under pressure to say I hadn’t seen it. I was furious but no matter what industry you are in, you do what your bosses say. So he [N’Zonzi] was charged and got three matches. I know it goes on because other referees have told me.”
Former Manchester United player, Garry Neville believes these claims should not be taken lightly and an investigation should be initiated by the FA.
Since PGMOL’s statement denying these statements, the FA have insisted they are satisfied by the role of match officials.
