Source: Eurosport
Moyes Questions Riley Appointment
Everton boss David Moyes has questioned the decision to appoint Mike Riley to referee Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United at Wembley.[LNB]The Yorkshire official is a late replacement for Steve Bennett, who has withdrawn due to illness.[LNB]But Moyes, who has frequently not seen eye to eye with Riley, has raised the suggestion that Riley is a fan of United.[LNB]Riley upset Moyes way back in 2003 when he awarded a controversial penalty to United in the final game of the season that cost Everton a place in the UEFA Cup.[LNB]Riley also sent off Tim Cahill in the 2-0 league defeat to Liverpool in September.[LNB]And now Moyes has responded to questions about Riley's appointment ahead of Sunday's semi-final.[LNB]He said on the club's official website: "A member of the press asked me if Mike Riley is a Manchester United supporter - I think that is something you would need to bring up with the FA.[LNB]"It is something that one or two managers would have something to say about. It is the FA's appointment; it was originally supposed to be Steve Bennett.[LNB]"If you (the press) are saying that Mike Riley is a Manchester United supporter, you would hope the FA would look at that."[LNB]Moyes added that, in general, he believes English referees are doing a good job, but he did question the influence of the so-called 'big four'.[LNB]He said: "Referees in this country are very honest. They try to get the decisions right.[LNB]"I think they can be influenced, I think that has been seen in a couple of games I have been involved in recently."[LNB]A FA spokesman said: "All our referees are fair, unbiased and objective.[LNB]"Mike Riley is one of our top officials and we are 100% confident he will do a good job on Sunday."[LNB]
