How the Premier League has missed Howard Webb.
Regarded as one of the best officials in the world, Webb hung up his whistle after last season to take a position as technical director for Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
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Now with all the controversy surrounding the officiating this season, people are already calling for Webb to return to the pitch.
You won’t see Webb with a whistle anytime soon, but less than a year into his new career at PGMOL, he has been promoted to performance director for England’s referees.
That means the 43-year-old Englishman will be in charge of choosing the referees for each Premier League match, something that has been a hot topic as of late.
It is no secret that players, managers and supporters have been upset by the officiating in the Premier League this season. While these parties are usually biased, this time they have actual beef. The officials and a large amount of their decisions have been dreadful, and have often overtaken headlines from the actual games.
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If there’s one man who knows officiating, it’s Howard Webb. He worked as a Premier League official from 2003-2014, and has refereed some of the big matches in the world. In 2010, he became the first person to officiate the Champions League final and World Cup final in the same year.
Hopefully Webb’s expertise will allow for him to help the officiating problems that have been hindering the Premier League throughout the season. His familiarity with the managers and the game should help Webb choose the right official for each match, as he is one of the most respected voices in the field.
