Fans say ‘we need this in the Premier League’ after referee gives ‘game-changing’ interview live on TV
FOOTBALL fans are calling for post-game referee interviews after a “game-changing” example arrived from France.
Officials have been under increasing pressure this season after video assistant referees increasingly fail to appease furious supporters.
Despite the VAR technology, frequent mistakes have still been made and experienced ref Lee Mason even quit the PGMOL after a high-profile error in February.
Expert ref Howard Webb returned to England half-way into the season to try and get on top of England’s struggling refereeing body but has had a mixed time of it.
Fans think they know a way to improve the system and have renewed calls for post-game interviews with refs.
This was after taking inspiration from Amazon Prime, who managed to interview Ligue 1 official Jeremie Pignard after he took charge of a recent league match.
Appearing next to the TV presenter and pundits after the game, the man in the middle eloquently explained why he controversially allowed a Nantes goal to stand despite strong claims for handball.
Pignard said: “If it’s really the lower biceps, like right here. Depending on what muscle.
“That may not be the same for everyone. We can see it in the action, and this is why I took my time.
“These kind of decisions are so important. The VAR reacted very well, sending me the footage so I can watch the action again. Every detail counts in those kind of moments.”
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The ref’s detailed and compelling explanation of his thought process left fans convinced it should be the next step in England.
One said: “I’ve been calling for this for years…referees in England get away with so much and have zero accountability.”
Another added: “Would be great to see this in all matches. Might not satisfy everyone but at least would help take the heat out of some contentious decisions.”
While fan lauded the broadcaster for getting the referee on air as they said: “Amazon at it again with the referee interviews, game-changing.”
And another football follower simply said: “@PGMOL … take note.”
The Amazon interview follows another first earlier this year as a referee at the Club World Cup explained his VAR decision to fans inside the stadium.
Fans were also left surprised when one referee in a women’s game brandished a white card as part of a new initiative.
White cards are part of a new initiative in Portugal.
Unlike the yellow and red cards which are meant to punish teams, the white card instead is shown to recognise and praise clubs for fair play.