Refs should protect stars: PFA chief

Professional Footballer’s Association chief executive Gordon Taylor insists referees have a responsibility to protect the most skilful players in the game.

Taylor’s claim follows comments by Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who revealed after his side’s FA Cup defeat by Portsmouth yesterday a lack of protection from officials has made him “scared” to play his natural game.

United boss Alex Ferguson criticised referee Martin Atkinson for the decision not to award his side a penalty after Sylvain Distin blocked Ronaldo in the sixth minute of the game.

Ferguson also directed harsh words at Keith Hackett, the general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, and said the tolerance level of referees was behind the rest of Europe.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had also previously voiced concerns teams were deliberately trying to “kick” his team’s attacking players as a way of winning matches.

“I think we have a duty to make sure our most skilful players are protected and allow them to display their skills during matches,” Taylor told PA Sport.

“Ronaldo is one of the most skilful players in the country and it is something any skilful player is entitled to say, that the referee has a duty to protect them.

“Overall, everybody in the game wants referees to clamp down on bad tackles and dangerous play. We all have a responsibility, to work with the referees, and get together to address these problems.”

But Taylor, who played more than 250 games for Bolton, stressed the importance of a distinction between protection and favouritism from referees.

“All players should be treated equally, including skilful players, and should be shown respect by the opposition and by referees,” Taylor explained.

“You have to remember that while the skilful players are the entertainers, the fact is that defenders also make up a high proportion of the football profession as well.

“A characteristic of the English game is that it’s always been a physical contact game.

“Some people say the art of tackling is not what it was, and others say that the game has got more skilful. Certainly it is harder for defenders when they are up against the likes of Ronaldo.

“So referees must try to get the right balance in allowing skilful players to demonstrate their ability but also be mindful of the rights of defenders and the pace of the game.

“Physical contact and determination is not something we want to lose – just look at Barnsley’s tremendous win over Chelsea in the FA Cup, which owed a lot to the qualities of a ’firm but

fair’ approach.“

Taylor also admitted he sympathised with referees, who have a difficult job in making sure the tempo of the game remains high but also preventing foul play.

“More countries like to see our games than any other, and that is testimony to the entertainment value, which is helped when the referees keep the game going,” Taylor added.

“Although nobody within the game wants to keep the game flowing, and that includes myself as PFA chief executive, at the cost of losing the best players to bad tackles.

“Everybody in the game was taken back by the injury to (Arsenal striker) Eduardo (da Silva) but it is a fact of football – injuries are part and parcel and part of the contact of the game.

“The problem is that when referees are seen to be continually clamping down it holds the game up and then there are complaints that they are not letting the game flow.

“When they do let the game flow they are then criticised for fouls which might happen so it is a difficult job for a referee to get the right balance.”