There was only so long in which the Football League could turn a blind eye to the diabolical standard of refereeing. Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, who train match officials for the Premier League, are set to expand into the Championship, putting together a panel of 12 full time and six part time referees.
It won`t solve all the problems. It won`t make bad refereeing disappear. But it is a step in the right direction.
Referees selected to become full time will undergo fitness and technical assessments and earn a reported £50,000 a year.
Blues manager Gary Rowett supports the idea. He told the Birmingham Mail – As much as managers complain after games, it must be very difficult to do your job in the week and then have to get up to the speed of a Championship game and make critical decisions. Anything that gives them a better chance to be prepared and to do more work in the week is a plus”.
Former Blues boss Steve Bruce, now at Hull City, said- “The more time they have and the more professional they can get, the better.”
Livelihoods of managers, players and club staff are at risk if a club fails to do well and an incorrect refereeing decision can often decide the outcome of a season defining game. With promotion to English Football`s top flight now worth a reported £180 million, the pressure on referees to call the correct decisions is huge.
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