1 Dec 2009Former players should become referees, says Reading winger

Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Reading's Jobi McAnuff has claimed that ex-footballers should be encouraged to become match officials.

Speaking to BBC Berkshire this week, the 28-year-old winger said he would like to see former players refereeing at a high level, as they have invaluable knowledge and experience of the game.

McAnuff, who played in the Royals' 2-1 defeat to Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday (November 28th), was critical of the standard of referees in the Championship.

"They seem to lose control and it descends into chaos. It's a recurring theme," the former Crystal Palace player commented.

He added: "There are a lot of ex-players out there knocking about who'd love to be out here on a Saturday."

McAnuff joined Reading from Watford in August, when he followed former Hornets manager Brendan Rodgers to the Madejski Stadium.

Elsewhere in the Championship, referee Gavin Ward came under fire from Barnsley manager Mark Robins on Saturday after deciding to abandon the Tykes' game at Plymouth Argyle after 58 minutes due to heavy rain.

Written by Paul Roberts

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