What is wrong with the referees?

'Appalling' refereeing standards

Keith Hackett the former FIFA referee has named up to five current officials who need to be demoted after their lowly performance in the games.

Due to referee's making mistakes, there always a twist in the tale of the game.

But these claims by Hackett have been Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

Former Fifa referee Hackett claims he counted "over 20 major errors" during the Christmas period.

He cited Wayne Routledge's red card during Swansea's game at QPR on 1 January, which was later overturned, as being of particular concern.

"I see standards falling," he said. "Over the Christmas period, it reached standards that were bordering on appalling."

Hackett also criticised Andre Marriner's "pretty poor performance" in the game between Manchester City and Everton at the start of December.

"First of all, the failure to spot a challenge that resulted in Sergio Aguero having to go off, then a non-penalty decision," said Hackett.

"I was with a group of Fifa referees from Nigeria who watched with amazement. Do you think I took joy in that?"

Marriner is one of the five referees Hackett believes should finish at the end of the season.