Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has voiced his frustration over what he perceives as subpar officiating standards in the EFL, following a controversial incident in his team’s recent 1-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
The match in question saw referee Ollie Yates initially add six minutes of stoppage time, only to award a last-minute penalty to Bolton in the 99th minute for a holding offense at a corner, which ultimately cost Peterborough the game. MacAnthony noted that similar infractions against his own player, Emmanuel Fernandez, were overlooked at the other end of the pitch, which he found perplexing.
MacAnthony Highlights Need for Referees with Authority
Though MacAnthony acknowledged that Bolton were the better side on the day, he emphasized the importance of officiating consistency. Speaking on his Hard Truth podcast, the Peterborough chairman expressed a desire to see officials with more “stature” who could better withstand the pressures of a large, vocal crowd.
“This is not sour grapes as Bolton were superb,” MacAnthony clarified. “They were better than us on the day, but I want to see better referees—ones who can stand up to the pressure of a big crowd. The officials need to be held to the same standards as we hold our players and teams.”
“I want the EFL product to be spot on. If my team doesn’t perform to the right standard, I will say so in public, but referees need to be judged by those standards as well. None of the referees I’ve seen this season are going to end up in the Premier League.”
MacAnthony went on to describe the final minutes of the Bolton game, pointing out that Yates allowed additional play to continue after the initial six minutes of stoppage time. Further frustration stemmed from what MacAnthony described as an inconsistency in handling alleged time-wasting.
He defended his team, noting that any delays were legitimate and not intended to disrupt the game’s flow. He cited several instances, including an injury to his goalkeeper and Fernandez having to leave the pitch following a collision, which left them without their tallest defender during a crucial set-piece.
Writer’s View
MacAnthony’s appeal for higher officiating standards in the EFL is not without merit. The importance of consistent and confident officiating is critical in a league where outcomes can significantly impact promotion and relegation races. His push for referees with stronger presence and training is timely, especially in a season where errors have already altered key match results.
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