Digsy’s in agreement with Ian Wright-Wright-Wright and *shock* Mourinho.
On MOTD2 Sunday night Ian Wright very passionately argued in favour of Premiership referees being forced to explain their decisions after a game. I often disagree with the Arsenal (and don’t forget Crystal Palace) legend (not to mention West Ham, Notts Forest, Celtic and Burnley journeyman). He is mental after all. But I reckon Wrighty’s on to something here.
If refs did a brief Q&A with the press after each game it would clear up a lot of controversy. The press could ask “why did you send x off?†or “why did you give/not give that penalty.†If the questions were asked by a neutral press and not by rabid, myopic fans then these quick sessions could be really valuable.
It would also clear up a few mysteries. For example I’m wondering right now about John Terry’s sending off in the weekend’s London derby. What did the Chelsea captain do to get that second yellow? I’ve seen it three or our times now and still can’t work out what happened, yet when Terry see red he leaves the field without a fuss – hardly the actions of a man who did no wrong. Tottenham and Chelsea supporters will argue to no end about what “really” happened, but if someone had been able to ask Graham Poll straight after the game we’d REALLY know what happened.
Of course the reason refs aren’t available to answer questions is to protect them from having to answer difficult questions, which could damage their credibility. But it works both ways. Mourinho had some not-too-friendly words to say about Graham Poll after Sunday’s game and it might have been better for Poll, and the countless Premiership referees to be doubted this season, had he been given a platform to respond.