Richard Keys slams Premier League and claims referees are scared of top official
Richard Keys has slammed the Premier League and the state of refereeing in the division.
The former Sky Sports presenter believes that David Coote, lead video assistant referee for Liverpool vs Brentford, was 'scared' to send Michael Oliver to the screen after Ivan Toney was challenged by Andrew Robertson. Liverpool prevailed in that match 4-1 but the Bees looked like they were denied a stonewall penalty on that occasion.
Keys reflected on Mike Dean's admission of allowing his relationship with Anthony Taylor to stop him from from correcting an on-pitch error. The 66-year-old suggested in this instance, rather than friendship, fear may have inspired VAR not to intervene.
The beIN SPORT broadcaster went as far to suggest that Oliver would see himself as superior to Coote. He does not believe that Coote is the only one who would be apprehensive to correct Oliver.
Keys wrote in his blog: "Brentford should’ve had a pen. Robertson knew it was a pen. You can see that by the way he limply kicks the ball away after clattering Toney.
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"The only person in the ground that didn’t think it was a pen was Michael Oliver. What happened to VAR? David Coote went missing because he knows that Oliver is never going to accept someone he regards as inferior to him sending him to a monitor.
"Operators are scared of Oliver so they back off. We know this because Mike Dean admitted as much early in the season. Refs help their mates out and duck controversy."
Keys' criticism did not stop there as he took aim at Howard Webb. He suggested the referees chief 'should be on the phone to Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth and perhaps even City' after errors.
Michael Oliver is considered the Premier League's top referee (Gustavo Pantano/Getty Images)Keys also acknowledged it took Rob Jones and Michael Salisbury 'four minutes to f*** it up' when they awarded Newcastle a penalty against Bournemouth. He also accused the Premier League of using Fulham as 'guinea pigs'.
Lewis Smith took charge of Fulham versus Aston Villa as the 30-year-old continued a remarkable rise from the National League less than a year ago, while Rebecca Welch made her debut in the division at Craven Cottage. Samuel Barrot also took charge of his first Premier League clash in west London this season.
"Fulham fans have got every right to ask why their club are always used as guinea pigs when it comes to giving new refs a run-out," wrote Keys. "Of course the process of finding new blood is important - but it doesn’t always have to be at Craven Cottage. Fulham’s games matter every bit as much as any other teams."
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