Ex-Fifa official lambasts decision as Liverpool-Man City referee news confirmed
Keith Hackett has claimed the FA have made the wrong decision by appointing Craig Pawson to referee the Community Shield between Liverpool and Man City.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Pawson was out of the form at the end of the 2021-22 campaign and does not deserve the appointment.
The PGMOL confirmed last week (5 July) that the 43-year-old will take charge of the game between the Premier League champions and FA Cup holders at the end of the month (30 July).
This will be the second time the two sides have met in the showpiece match with Man City winning the 2019 edition on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
“I hope that Craig Pawson has a better season than he had last – he wouldn’t be my choice for the Community Shield,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“For me, I wish Craig Pawson all the best because he’s a Sheffield referee and it’s great for the city and great for refereeing but is he the best one in form at the end of last season? Did he top the list? No, not in my opinion.
“He’s a follower not a leader. His refereeing style is reactive and not proactive.
“It’s the beginning of the season so I hope he’s put in a lot of training because I am still critical of his movement on the field of play and his ability to maintain contact with it.
“You only get the Community Shield once. Often people say these are friendly games, there are no friendly games with these teams.
“They are playing for their position and they are playing for pride. We know that the teams will be going out to win.
“They might be slightly more relaxed because it’s the beginning of the season where they are trying to get into the flow of things but they still want a trophy and they are happy to display the trophy when they get it.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Liverpool FFP status is now in doubt after a “ludicrous” Uefa rule change.