Liverpool news: Ex-Fifa official calls on two more referees to quit as fall-out of Diogo Jota controversy escalates
Keith Hackett has called on two more Premier League referees to retire after Kevin Friend quit following a major Liverpool controversy in the 2021-22 season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League official claimed Andre Marriner and Graham Scott should follow Friend and hang up their whistles.
The Telegraph reported last week (21 June) that the 50-year-old has become the fourth senior official to retire this summer.
It comes after a controversial 2021-22 campaign where he was dropped following a controversy in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at the turn of the year (22 January).
He gave Liverpool a penalty for a foul by Vicente Guaita on Diogo Jota but it appeared contact was initiated by the Liverpool forward.
“Look, I’ve got two others on the list,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Andre Marriner, who is a really nice guy, is so far behind the play now he’s guessing. He’s been a great referee for the Premier League, a great loyal servant and he’s a lovely man but you don’t want lovely men, you want referees, whatever gender, to officiate at the top level.
“For me, he’s seen his better days and when you’ve seen your better days, it’s time to go.
“It’s the same for Graham Scott, he’s 54. I think we need some fresh blood and that fresh blood needs motivation.
“We’ve seen three new guys added last year. I don’t know how good they are, they seem competent guys but they were given three Premier League games each last season. That’s not motivation.
“You look at it and expect referees to be managed effectively and given that opportunity to excel.
“The Premier League is about excellence.”
In other news, an expert has revealed a Liverpool plan is doomed to fail after a boardroom capitulation.