It’s been a terrible week for referees in the Premier League.
Mark Hughes has fumed at the decisions of referee Neil Swarbrick for failing to punish Maynor Figueroa after his challenge left Stoke midfielder Stephen Ireland needing 12 to 15 stitches.
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Hughes’ frustration comes as referees came under the spotlight again this weekend following a sending off at Old Trafford which saw the wrong player get the red card.
Stephen Ireland had to be substituted during Stoke’s 1-0 win over Hull and will need as many as 15 stitches following the hit from Figueroa.
And Mark Hughes has said this latest incident shows just how poor the current standard of refereeing is in the Premier League.
“I’m disappointed with performance of the officials. There was a tackle in the first half on Stevie which could have finished his career,” said Hughes, reports Daily Mirror.
“It was a shocking challenge. The day has been soured by it. He has a slice on his calf and has needed 12/15 stitches. He’s in a bad way.
“The referees have got to get their act together. I think officials find it very difficult to get the key decision rights.”
And the former Fulham boss wasn’t the only manager frustrated with refereeing decision as Hull manager Steve Bruce said he was also angry, claiming Peter Crouch’s winning goal came after he was stood in an offside position.
However, if there were any hopes of video refereeing being instituted any time soon in football, they had been dashed earlier in the day after the International FA Board said they would delay trials on the technology for at least another 12 months.