Source: SKY_Sports
Blatter wants improved refereeing
Sepp Blatter has called for refereeing standards to be improved in the wake of Barcelona's controversial midweek victory over Chelsea.[LNB] The Blues were unhappy with a number of referee Tom Henning Ovrebo's decisions in the second leg of the semi-final defeat to Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]Chelsea were on course to secure a place in the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United prior to Andres Iniesta's last-gasp leveller that put the Catalan giants through on the away goals rule.[LNB]Guus Hiddink's players were incensed that a number of penalty decisions went against them and they vented their frustration at Ovrebo at the full-time whistle, despite his decision to send off Barca's Eric Abidal with the home side still in front.[LNB]Blatter has not criticised Ovrebo directly, but feels that if referees from all the European countries went full-time then fans might have a little less to complain about.[LNB]Improved standards"I will repeat it, and I have been saying it for 10 years at least, we must improve refereeing," explained Blatter.[LNB]"Improving refereeing in professional football means it's time to have professional referees and we should only use professional referees in high level competitions.[LNB]"We have professional referees in England, we have professional referees in all sports in France. We have this kind of professionalism in Italy during the season, they are under contract.[LNB]"We have had professional referees in Mexico, in Brazil and in Argentina. We don't have it in Germany - in Germany they are paid per match - and I think this is one of the most important things that refereeing is their profession, this is their job.[LNB]"There will always be questions if the referee is good or not good but I will say the future of our game is in the hands of the man with the whistle because there is so much at stake, such as in this match."[LNB]
