REFS STICK TOGETHER

Last updated : 26 October 2004 By editor

Referees chief Keith Hackett believes Mike Riley handled the pressure of Sunday's stormy Premiership encounter between Manchester United and Arsenal well.

Hackett told BBC Radio Five Live:

'It would be unrealistic if managers didn't respond. It is difficult if you have been watching your team and then you are asked to react 10 minutes later. That is why we have a 30-minute cooling-off period before managers can then go into the referees' room.'

He added: 'We know this is one of the tough encounters of the season. Mike clearly had a gameplan to try and not suppress the match. He wanted it to breathe and perhaps went in with the intention of getting through the game without having to dismiss any players. In the back of his mind he was trying to get through a game without having a blow up and I think Mike did extremely well to keep a lid on things.'

Another ref Winter said:

“I have refereed this fixture in the past and it is one of those that fills you with anticipation.But they are becoming almost impossible to referee. You inevitably find yourself second-guessing yourself — and you are going to get slaughtered by one manager whatever happens”

“Referees have to react instantly and there is more focus than ever on their decisions. But six hours after the match the Sky TV experts still couldn’t agree whether Sol Campbell’s tackle on Wayne Rooney should have been a penalty.”

“Even ‘God Almighty himself’ Andy Gray said straight away it was a penalty, which was the same snap judgment Mike Riley delivered. But you still get Arsene Wenger questioning Mike’s honesty and integrity. It’s the terrible double standards that annoy me most. When Arsenal conned the referee to get a penalty and draw 1-1 with Portsmouth to keep their unbeaten run going, Mr Wenger did not have any complaints then.He probably trotted out his favourite get-out — he didn’t see the incident.”

“Managers and players sit there with smug, self-satisfied smiles when decisions go their way and then have the nerve to scream blue murder if it goes against them.”

“To suggest Mike favours United is an affront to an honest, respected official.Yes, the statistics show he has given United a lot of penalties. But like Arsenal, they do spend about 90 per cent of their home matches on the attack.”