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KEITH HACKETT has launched a blistering attack on the PGMOL, accusing the English referees’ body of operating “like a Mayfair Gentleman’s Club”.
Former top ref Hackett (79) is fuming Rebecca Welch has been snubbed since becoming the first woman to referee a Prem match last month.
She received rave reviews from fans and pundits after being in charge of Fulham’s 2-0 defeat to Burnley at Craven Cottage on December 23.
Her appointment coincided with a period of improved diversity within the PGMOL under chief Howard Webb’s reign.
But the 40-year-old has not been named for any top-flight games since and is also missing from the latest match-list of Prem appointments up to January 22.
And ex-PGMOL boss Hackett let rip at Webb and Co, blasting: “A £26 million pound business run by a bunch of amateurs who operate like a Mayfair Gentleman’s Club.
“Job for the boys – when is Rebecca Welch going to be appointed to her next Premier League game?
“Was it to look good from a PGMOL PR point of view. She officiated well.”
Three days later Sam Allison became the first black referee to take charge of a Prem match in 15 years – Sheffield United’s game against Luton.
FA chiefs have set targets of increasing the diversity of match officials across the footballing pyramid and want an increase of 1,000 women refs and 1,000 black or Asian officials at all levels in three years.
But ex-firefighter Allison, 42, has also not had another top-flight appointment since.
Hackett’s blast comes after a catalogue of high-profile ref and VAR blunders this season – the latest being Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s “crazy” red card in the FA Cup draw with Crystal Palace which was overturned by the FA on Tuesday.
The PGMOL declined to comment, but it is understood that, as Welch and Allison are Championship refs, it would be unusual for either of them to receive another top-flight appointment so soon, especially as the Championship has a full programme, while the Prem is on a staggered winter break.
However, it is expected they will be appointed to other top-flight games later this season. – The Sun.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter