Refs 'a joke' says Rio

Stuart Mathieson

April 06, 2007

LAUGHING: Rio Ferdinand.

RIO Ferdinand has slammed Champions League referees as "laughable" and accused them of being aloof and dismissive.

The defender is still fuming at German ref Herbert Fandel's performance as United lost in Rome on Wednesday night.

Fandel sent off midfielder Paul Scholes for two first-half yellow cards as the Reds slipped 2-1 to Roma in their quarter-final first leg.

But it wasn't so much Fandel's performance as his attitude that sparked Ferdinand's fury; and it's something the England international claims is a growing problem in European football.

"I don't want to make excuses or get myself in trouble, but I don't think the referee had a very good game at all," said the 28-year-old.

"For some reason, especially in Europe, it becomes apparent that the referees have got an ignorance problem. You can't speak to them.

"You try to speak to them in the best manner possible, and they turn their nose up at you. It is almost like they are not allowed to speak to players.

"Something needs to be done about it. There is no conversation or communication between the players and the referee. It makes things difficult and that makes players frustrated.

Laughing

"It is not a language problem. The referee spoke good English in Rome. But some of the decisions were laughable. If you saw me on the pitch, you would have seen me laughing a few times because the decisions were that bad.

"UEFA have to look at it. Attitudes have got to change. If you want a better environment on the pitch, the referees have to provide that by talking to the players.

"You need to be able to have a conversation with the referee without him looking at you as though you were a piece of rubbish."

Furious United have accused Roma defender Cristian Chivu of helping get Scholes sent off by waving an imaginary card in a bid to alert Fandel.

"English players don't brandish yellow cards," Ferdinand added.

"Their players kicked the ball away and he didn't do anything. There was a tackle on Gaby Heinze and the player didn't get booked. It was a joke."

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Jonathan Chin, Truly Asia (06/04/2007 at 10:03)

Hey Rio, understand yr frustration.. but why u didnt kick the ball to Roma supporter like what u did last week at Old Trafford? They definitely deserved it!

A Mancunian, Manchester (06/04/2007 at 10:35)

Hilarious comments from Rio - he likes to shoot from the hip, doesn't he? I guess he does have a point, though. Referees seem to enjoy confrontation - even the way they brandish cards makes them look like they're about to hit someone.

Danny, Wilmslow (06/04/2007 at 12:05)

He is right the game with SPURS last night was another example.

red john (06/04/2007 at 12:12)

Not often i agree with rio but he is spot on. The ref is the worst ive witnessed in 40 years of watching european football and united should launch an appeal. It was quite simply the most blatantly 1 sided set of decisions ive ever witnessed; given the circumstances off the field could have made an explosive situation even worse. Pardon my cynicism but perhaps that was the idea; you know how italians like to ensure the best possible support from the officials!!

Andy P, Wythenshawe, Manchester (06/04/2007 at 13:33)

Agree that Scholes deserved to be sent off but the referee the other night was very poor and gave Roma everything.

Anthony, Hamilton,Ontario,Canada (06/04/2007 at 13:50)

They,EUFA and FIFA, should investigate referees who perform like that. They should,also,investigate the appointments of referees. Isn't it quite obvious that certain referees get away with murder? Why aren't referees from smaller countries, who rarely participate in the latter stages of the competitions, not appointed? There are counties like Malta, Cyprus etc. who have very good officials. Or bring officials from outside Europe from the k.o. stages up. There are ways for UEFA to send a message that bad officiating will not be tolerated, if, of course,they want to admit that there is a problem.

Sean the Red, Aberdeen (06/04/2007 at 14:45)

Rio is correct.
Its time to be rid of amature refs like the German Piano player.
I believe refs should be professionals, recruited from ex football players either semi or full professional, at least they would understand the game.
You expect judges to be professional lawyers so refs should also be football players.
As for FIFA and UEFA changing things, after the Italian bribery, hooliganism, etc. don,t hold your breath.

Danny, Wilmslow (06/04/2007 at 16:32)

To ask a human being to be impartial is impossible especially those International refs

ted knott, droylsden (06/04/2007 at 16:47)

not like Poll,Riley,Wiley,Bennett,Foy,Gallagher and Dean are they Rio? you know -- giving united the freedom of the pitch by protecting them awarding them free kicks where the opposite way round nothing is given.Allowing players (ferdinand) to slam the ball away after not getting a decision (very rare) hitting a fan in the face AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT awarded penalties where in an identical incident ! YES we expect you dont like the European officials you wouldn't do BECAUSE they dont favour United its as straightforward as that! I hope now these same referees note what Ferdinand is calling them and make it even worse for them Rio in particular.Teams win games sometimes with honesty but United RARELY do that,however in Europe it is a much different situation where the officials are more consistent,more diligent on the guidelines,and certainly more honest!

Andy P, Wythenshawe, Manchester (06/04/2007 at 20:12)

Ted oh Ted, you are so wrong and so very bitter, why are you so bothered about United?

COLIN, CANADA, Canada (06/04/2007 at 22:57)

They won't deal with the card waving business because it is a culture thing. It's the way they do things and getting a fellow professional sent off is how you do the business. I'm afraid it's not going to change over night. We have to keep our comments to ourselves Rio and let Fergie do the talking.

SP (07/04/2007 at 11:20)

International class Ref, unlike you Rio, an overpaid moaner. Look at the guy next to you. Top class and digging you out of holes week in and week out.

DAVID (07/04/2007 at 12:31)

In reply to Ted knott you are obviously a bitter blue who doesn't have a clue about football ( well you wouldn't supporting them ) the only european cities you go to are when you are on holiday muppet, can't wait to win the league at Eastlands, it will be the only time you muppets see the Premiership trophy in your ground.

ted knott, droylsden (07/04/2007 at 19:34)

POMPEY - 2 UNITED - 1 FERDINAND O.G. ho ho ho ho ho ho ho his coments which I referrred to came back on him POETIC JUSTICE YOU Muppet! ho ho ho Oh deary deary me David its the bitter streak coming out again I see, off to the pub now to celebrate! no seriously I still think United will win the Premiership - - lifes a bitch!!!!!! have a good weekend Dave?

SP (07/04/2007 at 20:56)

Miss quote - It was the ref said Rio was a joke - At fault for both goals, and tried to blame everyone else. Who is going to be missed more Terry over the last few weeks or Dracula's handsome brother in the run in !!

redmark, manchester (09/04/2007 at 12:58)

Tedd knot your a turn coat you support both of the manchester teams.
Utd shouldnt have lost and i for 1 dont think well win the pl title,the cl title and the fa cup depending on who we get and i dont think its hard to tell who we will get.

redmark, manchester (09/04/2007 at 13:00)

I must admit rio you was a laughing stock on saturday,no iffs or buts a very poor display indeed,but hey your the 1 laughing at home which i bet was well close to 3million with a ferrari out on the grounds,and looking at your bank balance on line.
How much a week for playing like a donkey.

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