Latest news with #ProfessionalGameMatchOfficialsLimited
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Webb thinks a return to refereeing for Coote is unlikely
He was sacked by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December, a month after the video filmed in July 2020 came to light. The 43-year-old has a potential route back into football after the FA said he would be free to officiate again after serving the ban and completing an education programme. Howard Webb wants to offer more support to referees (Zac Goodwin/PA) But PGMOL boss Webb feels that is unlikely. 'I think it'd be really difficult for David to come back, I'm afraid to say,' said Webb. 'He's somebody that we stayed in contact with, somebody who was part of our refereeing family for a long time and served the game for a long period of time and I've known him personally for many years. 'It's sad what happened with David but I think it would be challenging for him to come back.' Coote's misconduct was defined as an aggravated breach under the FA's rules because there was a reference to Klopp's nationality. Coote has been suspended for his comments about Klopp (Zac Goodwin/PA) In the video, he described Klopp as a 'German c***' and said he was 'f****** arrogant'. Coote was banned by European football's governing body UEFA until June 30, 2026 after a different video emerged of him snorting a white powder through a bank note while in Germany for Euro 2024. In January, Coote came out as gay and said a lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to the rant about Klopp and his drug use. Webb said PGMOL has reviewed and 'beefed up' its support for match officials and their families in the wake of Coote's downfall. 'When it became apparent David had made some bad choices away from the football field, we had to care for him and we had to try to understand why he'd made some of those choices and were they connected to the job,' said Webb. 'We spoke to all of our officials and there was some feedback from them about the support that they think they need. 'It was a good time for us to reflect on the services that we do provide. 'We've got sports psychologists and some element of mental health and wellbeing and support. But there was a recognition that could be beefed up.' Webb, who took charge of the 2010 Champions League and World Cup finals before retiring in 2014, encouraged match officials to be open about personal issues. Webb wants referees to feel able to open up on personal issues (Simon Peach/PA) 'I don't want officials to have a fear that if they step forward and say, 'can we have a chat?' that that's going to impact their appointments,' said the 54-year-old. 'We wanted to really emphasise to them that doing that was a sign of strength and not weakness. 'I think we've made good ground over the last few months in that respect because we've probably not had those conversations previously. I think we've had a few of them since. 'Having been there myself, traditionally you'd say I've got to show strength, I've got to show nobody's getting to me, I've got a thick skin. But I think over time it can weigh you down.'
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Howard Webb thinks a return to refereeing for David Coote is unlikely
He was sacked by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December, a month after the video filmed in July 2020 came to light. The 43-year-old has a potential route back into football after the FA said he would be free to officiate again after serving the ban and completing an education programme. Howard Webb wants to offer more support to referees (Zac Goodwin/PA) But PGMOL boss Webb feels that is unlikely. 'I think it'd be really difficult for David to come back, I'm afraid to say,' said Webb. 'He's somebody that we stayed in contact with, somebody who was part of our refereeing family for a long time and served the game for a long period of time and I've known him personally for many years. 'It's sad what happened with David but I think it would be challenging for him to come back.' Coote's misconduct was defined as an aggravated breach under the FA's rules because there was a reference to Klopp's nationality. Coote has been suspended for his comments about Klopp (Zac Goodwin/PA) In the video, he described Klopp as a 'German c***' and said he was 'f****** arrogant'. Coote was banned by European football's governing body UEFA until June 30, 2026 after a different video emerged of him snorting a white powder through a bank note while in Germany for Euro 2024. In January, Coote came out as gay and said a lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to the rant about Klopp and his drug use. Webb said PGMOL has reviewed and 'beefed up' its support for match officials and their families in the wake of Coote's downfall. 'When it became apparent David had made some bad choices away from the football field, we had to care for him and we had to try to understand why he'd made some of those choices and were they connected to the job,' said Webb. 'We spoke to all of our officials and there was some feedback from them about the support that they think they need. 'It was a good time for us to reflect on the services that we do provide. 'We've got sports psychologists and some element of mental health and wellbeing and support. But there was a recognition that could be beefed up.' Webb, who took charge of the 2010 Champions League and World Cup finals before retiring in 2014, encouraged match officials to be open about personal issues. Webb wants referees to feel able to open up on personal issues (Simon Peach/PA) 'I don't want officials to have a fear that if they step forward and say, 'can we have a chat?' that that's going to impact their appointments,' said the 54-year-old. 'We wanted to really emphasise to them that doing that was a sign of strength and not weakness. 'I think we've made good ground over the last few months in that respect because we've probably not had those conversations previously. I think we've had a few of them since. 'Having been there myself, traditionally you'd say I've got to show strength, I've got to show nobody's getting to me, I've got a thick skin. But I think over time it can weigh you down.'
Rhyl Journal
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Referee Bobby Madley says VAR is ruining football's emotion
Madley, who takes charge of games in the EFL and is a fourth official for Premier League matches, spoke out about the technology which continues to be a source of controversy in football. He said the introduction of VAR had meant that moments like Sergio Aguero's stoppage-time winner to hand Manchester City their first Premier League title in 2012 would not be repeated. 'As a fan, hate it, hate it. Love the Championship, love League One, I'm still a fan,' the Yorkshire-born referee said. 'I love League One because you score a goal, you look at the referee… you look at the assistant, he hasn't put his flag up, it's a goal. 'And that Sergio Aguero moment that we had years ago, where the referee was blowing, nobody's flagging, they've won the league. 'You are never, ever going to see that again in football, because they'll score in that moment and what will happen is the referee will stand there, everyone will panic, they're just checking potential offside 15 seconds ago. 'It takes that emotion away from it and football is a game where there could be one moment in the game, one goal, and that's it. 'To take that emotion away, to have to wait and wait, and what feels like an eternity, as a fan, I'm not a huge fan of that experience.' Madley, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival during an event on technology in sport, said football was a billion-pound business and the use of technology was inevitable. 'There's so much money in football, it's business driven. So any mistake is perceived to cost people money,' Madley said. 'And I don't think most football fans were clambering over each other to get video technology. 'The players weren't, the referees weren't, but the people who run football, they are multimillion-pound and billion-pound people, and they had issues with referees getting things wrong. 'I think we've got to the stage where people go, 'Sorry, we're ruining football with this now'. 'But we knew the monster that had been created, as referees, we knew what was coming. But I thought, so that's where we are.' Madley said the use of VAR had changed the psychology of refereeing because before, if mistakes were made, you would not know until after the game had finished. 'All of a sudden you've got to process 'I've made a wrong decision' in front of 75,000 people, in front of 100million people watching. What if I make another one?' Madley said. 'You know, I can't keep making wrong decisions because sometimes the players are going to say, 'How many more?' 'If you're sent to the screen for a second time, the trust weighs a little bit and that's a dangerous place to be as a referee. 'When people stop trusting your decision-making, that can be a very dangerous place. 'That's why we have so much training with VAR and that's why we have that bar set as a clear and obvious error.' The Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the English game's referees' body, has been approached for comment.
North Wales Chronicle
05-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Referee Bobby Madley says VAR is ruining football's emotion
Madley, who takes charge of games in the EFL and is a fourth official for Premier League matches, spoke out about the technology which continues to be a source of controversy in football. He said the introduction of VAR had meant that moments like Sergio Aguero's stoppage-time winner to hand Manchester City their first Premier League title in 2012 would not be repeated. 'As a fan, hate it, hate it. Love the Championship, love League One, I'm still a fan,' the Yorkshire-born referee said. 'I love League One because you score a goal, you look at the referee… you look at the assistant, he hasn't put his flag up, it's a goal. 'And that Sergio Aguero moment that we had years ago, where the referee was blowing, nobody's flagging, they've won the league. 'You are never, ever going to see that again in football, because they'll score in that moment and what will happen is the referee will stand there, everyone will panic, they're just checking potential offside 15 seconds ago. 'It takes that emotion away from it and football is a game where there could be one moment in the game, one goal, and that's it. 'To take that emotion away, to have to wait and wait, and what feels like an eternity, as a fan, I'm not a huge fan of that experience.' Madley, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival during an event on technology in sport, said football was a billion-pound business and the use of technology was inevitable. 'There's so much money in football, it's business driven. So any mistake is perceived to cost people money,' Madley said. 'And I don't think most football fans were clambering over each other to get video technology. 'The players weren't, the referees weren't, but the people who run football, they are multimillion-pound and billion-pound people, and they had issues with referees getting things wrong. 'I think we've got to the stage where people go, 'Sorry, we're ruining football with this now'. 'But we knew the monster that had been created, as referees, we knew what was coming. But I thought, so that's where we are.' Madley said the use of VAR had changed the psychology of refereeing because before, if mistakes were made, you would not know until after the game had finished. 'All of a sudden you've got to process 'I've made a wrong decision' in front of 75,000 people, in front of 100million people watching. What if I make another one?' Madley said. 'You know, I can't keep making wrong decisions because sometimes the players are going to say, 'How many more?' 'If you're sent to the screen for a second time, the trust weighs a little bit and that's a dangerous place to be as a referee. 'When people stop trusting your decision-making, that can be a very dangerous place. 'That's why we have so much training with VAR and that's why we have that bar set as a clear and obvious error.' The Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the English game's referees' body, has been approached for comment.
South Wales Guardian
05-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Referee Bobby Madley says VAR is ruining football's emotion
Madley, who takes charge of games in the EFL and is a fourth official for Premier League matches, spoke out about the technology which continues to be a source of controversy in football. He said the introduction of VAR had meant that moments like Sergio Aguero's stoppage-time winner to hand Manchester City their first Premier League title in 2012 would not be repeated. 'As a fan, hate it, hate it. Love the Championship, love League One, I'm still a fan,' the Yorkshire-born referee said. 'I love League One because you score a goal, you look at the referee… you look at the assistant, he hasn't put his flag up, it's a goal. 'And that Sergio Aguero moment that we had years ago, where the referee was blowing, nobody's flagging, they've won the league. 'You are never, ever going to see that again in football, because they'll score in that moment and what will happen is the referee will stand there, everyone will panic, they're just checking potential offside 15 seconds ago. 'It takes that emotion away from it and football is a game where there could be one moment in the game, one goal, and that's it. 'To take that emotion away, to have to wait and wait, and what feels like an eternity, as a fan, I'm not a huge fan of that experience.' Madley, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival during an event on technology in sport, said football was a billion-pound business and the use of technology was inevitable. 'There's so much money in football, it's business driven. So any mistake is perceived to cost people money,' Madley said. 'And I don't think most football fans were clambering over each other to get video technology. 'The players weren't, the referees weren't, but the people who run football, they are multimillion-pound and billion-pound people, and they had issues with referees getting things wrong. 'I think we've got to the stage where people go, 'Sorry, we're ruining football with this now'. 'But we knew the monster that had been created, as referees, we knew what was coming. But I thought, so that's where we are.' Madley said the use of VAR had changed the psychology of refereeing because before, if mistakes were made, you would not know until after the game had finished. 'All of a sudden you've got to process 'I've made a wrong decision' in front of 75,000 people, in front of 100million people watching. What if I make another one?' Madley said. 'You know, I can't keep making wrong decisions because sometimes the players are going to say, 'How many more?' 'If you're sent to the screen for a second time, the trust weighs a little bit and that's a dangerous place to be as a referee. 'When people stop trusting your decision-making, that can be a very dangerous place. 'That's why we have so much training with VAR and that's why we have that bar set as a clear and obvious error.' The Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the English game's referees' body, has been approached for comment.
