News about Mike Riley

CRAIG HOPE: The journey that brought Mark Clattenburg on board with the Daily Mail began in the foyer of a social club in Seaham in 2017. He was - not for the first time and, as this week shows, not for the last - at the centre of a media storm. The best referee in the world, he was quitting the Premier League for Saudi Arabia halfway through the season. It was back-page news. Clattenburg, however, had a commitment to give a talk to raise money for a junior football club close to his County Durham home. I bought a ticket and sat at the back of the room. Moments before the scheduled start, he was made aware of my presence and left the stage. He wanted a chat in the foyer. Was I about to get a red card?

MARK CLATTENBURG: Both VAR decisions at West Ham were correct because the ball touched the arm before going into the goal. However, five minutes in football is a long time. We need to continue if you're looking at it for a minute, two minutes, and you haven't made a decision. People have been disciplined by PGMOL under Howard Webb for making mistakes. Mike Riley, his grandfather, never did that publicly. And VARs are now so afraid to make a mistake that they take as long as they can.

When PGMOL's former manager of the referee body PGMOL suggested that VARs be in stadiums to "incite the wrath of the fans," Keith Hackett was accused of inviting abuse on his fellow match officials. Hackett's words in officiating circles ignited indignation and surprise, not least because he is a former referee. The 79-year-old Yorkshireman mocked VAR Stuart Attwell for Wolves' 3-2 loss to Fulham on talkSPORT: "We've got to understand that Stuart Attwell,' he said, is not a good VAR." I have skepticism about his ability as a referee. However, let's pretend that if he isn't a good VAR, don't appoint him to this position.'

Howard Webb, an exclusive member of GBPC, is expected to escape the refereeing storm wringing over the PGMOL by flying to the Netherlands to work with UEFA this week. On Thursday, Webb will be designated as referee observer for the Europa Conference League group match between Alkmaar and Legia Warsaw. Referee Nenad Minakovic's 52-year-old Englishman will be at the AFAS Stadion to assess the officiating team's results by grading them on how they do.

MARK CLATTENBURG: This could be a big time for Howard Webb and the PGMOL. They have set a precedent by releasing this recording so soon after the incident. In the midst of nonsensical talk of nepotism, Webb did it to shield his officials' reputation. Yes, they made a mistake, but no one had nothing to hide, and no, the referees had nothing to hide. However, other Premier League clubs will now receive the same treatment if a contentious decision is made against them. And what can the PGMOL say in response? You did it for Liverpool,' the clubs will say.' You did it for Liverpool.'

Exclusive INTERVIEW BY KIERAN GILL: Mike Dean says you will not find any splinters in his backside this season because there will be no ones on the fence this season. Not in his columns for Mail Sport. This weekend is not on Sky Sports' Soccer. Although he was still a member of the PGMOL fraternity as recently as last month, his current position is to judge his former coworkers. If one of his mates messes up, he would say so. I have no choice,' Dean says. You're losing all credibility if you lose all credibility.' I haven't been kicked out of any WhatsApp group among the referees because there isn't one. Or if there was, I was never invited into it! I adored being a referee. But I never fell in love with being a VAR. We mutually agreed that leaving and going in a different direction was the best.'

Neil Swarbrick, the Premier League's VAR operation's chief, is expected to retire at the end of the season. Since its inception for the 2019-20 season, Swarbrick has been in charge of the VAR operation. Swarbrick's resignation has been 'planned for a long time,' and is not a result of recent events, according to the Athletic.

Hackett (inset right), a former Premier League referee and former PGMOL chief, insists the refs must be 'let down' by this weekend's turbulent events and chastised incumbent PGMOL chief Mike Riley (inset correct). However, there are concerns that not enough skilled referees are rising through the ranks due to the abuse they suffer at lower levels. Hackett told PA: We're in our fourth season of VAR, and we aren't doing it properly.' These people are unlikely to make it to the Premier League without being outstanding referees. In some ways, they have been made to look foolish this weekend.' Several events in the Premier League this weekend included West Ham, who were furious after Andy Madley (right) was ruled out by a suspected Jarrod Bowen foul on Edouard Mendy, prompting boss David Moyes (left) furious.

Webb will oversee all 79 full-time professional referees across the Premier League and Football League, as well as an honorary for his work in MLS, which is known as the world's best-leader in VAR. Earlier this month, Webb said in Minneapolis: "The reason you bring someone in is to ultimately ensure change on what's already exists, and I guess that's the case with anyone who works in any role, maintaining and raising standards.' That's what my job will be like.'

Cesc Fabregas confessed to throwing a slice of pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson during the 'Battle of the Buffet', but denied aiming for the United manager. Following Arsenal's 2-0 loss at Old Trafford, Fabregas unveiled a slice of pizza at the Manchester United manager in October 2004. After the game, Fabregas became ecstatic, but he denied participating in the football at 49 games as a result.