Fifa’s law-makers gather at Celtic Manor today to a backdrop of pleas from English referees beseeching them to change their rules. In the wake of Wayne Rooney’s great elbow escape, English referees want Fifa to permit retrospective action.
There is also anger within the English refereeing community over how one of the country’s best officials, Mark Clattenburg, is being treated. The Tyneside official has been pilloried for not spotting Rooney's elbow at the DW Stadium last Saturday but awarding a free kick. Fifa does not allow the re-refereeing of incidents if a decision has been made.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, referees have revealed the huge desire for change and the support for Clattenburg. “Mark’s been castrated by the FA,” said one official. “I know he’s felt about giving it all up,” said another.
“The game has become so fast and we get one chance and one angle to see an incident,” said one referee. “We, as refs, would like to be able to say to the FA, ’I’ve seen something but I’d like it checked by video’.”
What happened in the seventh minute of Manchester United's game at Wigan Athletic could have far-reaching ramifications. Annoyed that James McCarthy was impeding his run to the distant ball, Rooney elbowed the Wigan midfielder. “Mark was following the ball,” said one referee. “You don’t expect players to do anything off the ball because they know the cameras are watching.”
Rooney clearly had done something. “What happened?” Clattenburg asked Rooney. “Mark, I caught him by accident,” replied Rooney. Clattenburg was subsequently criticised for appearing overly chummy with Rooney, almost trying to ingratiate himself with a famous England international.
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