Are football referees biased?

Mike Dean has been accused of ‘celebrating’ goals in the past

It’s a question that’s often asked in football circles – are the referees biased?

Suffice to say that if you were to stand in front of one and pose exactly that to them, you’d be met with a frosty look and, more than likely, a contemptuous few words. Why?

Referees worldwide are supposed to be employed on the basis of their impartiality, for the reason that they cannot be ‘bought.’

The idea of the arbiter of any game of football being the one that might influence the outcome leaves a very bad taste in the mouth, but for the amount of abuse they get on a weekly basis and for the pitiful amount of money they’re paid, they’d probably find sympathy in some quarters.

Having said that, when there have been occasions that suggest that a problem has arisen, the footballing fraternity have jumped all over it. It’s just not the done thing. Take Mike Dean for example.

Not too long ago, he officiated a game at White Hart Lane where a particular move ended in a goal for Tottenham Hotspur. In the build up to the goal, Dean, arms outstretched to signify continuation of play despite an earlier infringement, turned as the goal went in and began to ‘fist pump.’ 

It was, of course, a gesture to direct the players back to the centre circle but it was largely perceived to be a ‘celebration.’ It left Dean’s employers, PGMOL, to explain that it was nothing of the sort, but the readiness with which some accepted that Dean had not been impartial, shows part of the problem.

Similarly, Anthony Taylor, who, geographically, was born the closest to Old Trafford out of all Premier League referees, had not, until this season, overseen a Manchester United game – for blindingly obvious reasons.

When he was handed one, there was immediate uproar, even from former referees who spoke at length to suggest that Taylor was being hung out to dry.

Taylor himself had no such worries and officiated the game as well as every other referee, but, again, the dirt had been thrown and as we know, mud often sticks. For what it’s worth, at this point in time, Premier League referees seem beyond reproach – and long may it stay that way.

What a pity that the same can’t be said about those in Spain.

Barcelona’s Gerard Pique has been the most vocal of any player in La Liga about perceived injustices from referees against Barcelona this season. And with good reason too.

Firstly, the president of La Liga, Javier Tebas, has openly admitted he is a Real Madrid supporter. The people he employs at the head of the refereeing committee – similar to PGMOL in England – are all Real Madrid supporters.

In some games this season, Los Blancos have certainly had the rub of the green as far as refereeing decisions go, particularly relating to penalties. Barcelona, by contrast, have not been awarded even the most blatant of spot-kicks.

Things came to a head during the Villarreal v Barcelona game when Pique shouted at an onlooking Tebas in the directors' box. “You, can you see this? Yes, you,” was the thrust of the centre-back’s argument.

When an official and his assistants left another Spanish ground with a Real Madrid carrier bag stuffed with goodies, it sent Barcelona and Pique into meltdown. “Common practice,” was Real’s party line. “A simple gesture of thanks.”

It’s fairly easy to draw the conclusion from the giving of such gifts, and the non-awarding of crucial decisions, that there is an underlying issue, and the most recent example would be Sergio Ramos’ sending off in El Clasico.

A two-footed off the floor, hugely dangerous, challenge may well have broken Lionel Messi’s leg if the Argentinian had planted his foot a split second earlier. As it happened, there was no harm done to Barcelona’s No. 10 and Ramos received his marching orders. Correct decision.

However, on leaving the pitch, he turned and sarcastically applauded both the referee and Pique, telling him, “This is all your fault.”

Just a fortnight earlier, Neymar had been sent off for a far less physical challenge and what would’ve been a one-game ban turned into three after he applauded the officials as he left the pitch.

Neymar’s ban was increased after his actions towards the referee

Post the El Clasico, Tebas came out and said that he hoped Ramos didn’t get any more than a one-game ban and low and behold, despite his challenge being more like an assault, he has only received a one-match suspension.

Pique has been told to stop speaking out because his arguments are harming the La Liga brand, but, like his coach, Luis Enrique, Pique is not the type to sit and tolerate what he perceives to be underhand tactics.

Notably, Spain are the only one of the top five leagues in Europe who are yet to trial VAR (Video Assistant Refereeing). Quite how far-reaching this piece of technology will be when it’s introduced is anyone’s guess at this stage.

Clearly, to assist goal-line technology will be a primary function, but will it extend to penalty decisions and the like? Will a referee not awarding a spot-kick get overruled by VAR? Would that then suggest he’s just made a mistake or is it something far more sinister?

To this point, in Europe certainly, there’s never been concrete proof that a referee has taken money in order to ensure one team or another wins the match. There have been suggestions, but rumours and counter-rumours do no one any favours in the long run. We need to deal in cold, hard facts.

Brazilian football is rife with corruption, as is the Asian game, but that’s mostly because the regimes at the top are the most corrupt of all.

European football prides itself on the product and if there were genuine thoughts that officials were biased, there’d be a huge outcry from all quarters.

Given how much money is already in play, to consider upsetting the apple cart for a few extra thousand pounds is ludicrous.

In my opinion, you can rest easy for now. Referees largely remain whiter than white.