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Manchester United Defender Gary Neville Calls For Elite Referees Pool

Red Devil wants elite group of officials for top games...

Nov 16, 2009 9:39:28 AM

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Manchester United veteran Gary Neville would like to see the introduction of an elite pool of referees to officiate the biggest games.

Refereeing controversy has surrounded some of United's recent games, with club boss Sir Alex Ferguson receiving a four-game touchline ban (two suspended) and a £20,000 fine for comments impugning the fitness of Alan Wiley.

Neville feels that experienced officials would lead to fewer mistakes and subsequently less controversy.

"Referees are having a tough time at the moment, but I must say that their decision-making doesn't seem to be great in the big moments," Neville told The Times.

"No one can deny it is very difficult to be a referee, but they are supposed to be professionals.

"The big matches should be refereed by the best referees. Italian referee Pierluigi Collina always used to get the big Champions League matches because he rarely made mistakes. They should make it like that in England and use a few elite officials in the big games instead of trying to give all referees experience.

"These big games shouldn't be about giving refs experience. They should have to earn it. The best players play for the big clubs and the best commentators commentate on the big games. That's how it should be with refs."

Neville also echoed his manager's sentiments with regard to decisions made in the recent 1-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

"I don't think it was a foul by Darren Fletcher which led to the free kick," he added.

"I don't want to say we've been hard done by this season because every team has their complaints, and I don't want to jump on referees' backs because they are under a lot of pressure.

"Not only that, but the game is so fast that you can't eliminate all mistakes. Nevertheless, I expect the big decisions in the big matches to be correct, which is not happening at the moment."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK