Premiership: Fergie calls for professional asst refs

Alex Ferguson has called for the Premier League to introduce professional assistant referees in the wake of Manchester United’s controversial match at Derby.

Ferguson was angry with the performance of the linesmen during the controversial 2-2 draw at Pride Park and felt they failed to spot that Derby’s opening goal was offside.

The United manager claims it is a nonsense for the Premier League to have a 24-man select group of referees, which excludes assistant referees.

Under the new system brought in this season, assistant referees are drawn from the larger national group.

Ferguson claims some assistant referees ‘‘don’t know the rules’’ and would like to see a World Cup-style pool of professional officials and their assistants.

He said: ‘‘We have paid referees and yet the linesmen are interfering with the game. It’s so stupid. The whole system is cock-eyed to be honest.’’