Refereeing decisions and VAR have dominated the conversation this season, yet Richard Keys feels one particular Premier League club is getting a bad deal
Richard Keys believes Fulham have been treated like guinea pigs by the Premier League.
The former Sky Sports pundit unleashed his latest rant on VAR in his most recent online blog. Keys, 66, loves a moan as much as the next person, particularly when it comes to referees, line-operators or those who operate the VAR desk at Stockley Park.
His frustrations were underpinned by young official Lewis Smith being put in charge of the Cottagers’ 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa. It was the first time Smith, 30, had refereed a Premier League fixture in his officiating career.
It’s not the first time a referee has made their Premier League debut against the west Londoners this season. In October, Sam Barrott took charge of the Cottagers clash against Sheffield United.
“Fulham fans have got every right to ask why their club are always used as guinea pigs when it comes to giving new refs a run-out,” Keys said on his blog. “Of course the process of finding new blood is important.
But it doesn’t always have to be at Craven Cottage. Fulham’s games matter every bit as much as any other teams.Two months after Barrott took chare in the Premier League for the first time, Fulham boss Marco Silva blasted the young official’s performance in their 3-0 loss to Newcastle United, which saw him give Raul Jimenez a straight red card.
Silva said: “It was a really strange performance from the referee from the first minute to the last minute,” said Silva. Lascelles clearly elbowed Raul and not even a foul.
“I’m not saying red card, but a clear foul. You need referees with experience and to be able to handle the pressure.” Silva was subsequently fined £80,000 after admitting improper conduct.
