Mark Halsey claims Premier League referees are under pressure to change match reports – and FA doesn’t stop it
Ex-top official insists refs are asked to say they've not seen incidents - so retrospective action can be applied
MARK HALSEY believes top refs are pressured to alter their match verdicts.
He claims the FA do nothing about it despite knowing it goes on.
And that ref chiefs tell officials to say they have not seen incidents so that retrospective action can then be applied.
Ex-Prem referee Halsey said: “It happened to me, I was happy with my decision but told to say I hadn’t seen it.
“I told the FA I was under pressure not to see it and the guy at the FA said, ‘Take it up with your line manager.”
Halsey says that in 2011 he was ordered to change his account of spotting flashpoints.
FA chiefs cannot charge a player after a game if a ref sees the incident at the time but can dish out bans if it was not.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville stepped into the debate after Halsey’s comments sparked controversy.
He said on Twitter: “Mark is that not corrupt!! I’d like to know who told you to say that!!! Just a bit!! @FA and @premierleague think you have a major issue on your hands!!”
Last night, the Premier League issued a statement which read: “Match officials submit their reports, including critical incidents, directly to the FA.
“Match officials ensure that their reports are a full and accurate description of the incident. There is no pressure from the PGMOL to include or omit anything.”
