Recent experiences with so called ‘qualified’ referees at Swansea City games prompted us to look into the state of governance when it comes to referees in the English football system. We were quite surprised as to what we discovered.

Premier League referee David Coote springs to mind as a ‘Class A drug user’ by his own admission who basically ruined his career and life via a what’s app video of him taking cocaine, he then sent it to someone he knew. Of course further charges then followed that are child related. Basically the first stop for us was to see what new parameters the PGMOL had discussed since the Coot situation. The answer we are told is nothing. Our information gathered contained no change on the details of the current drink or drugs testing criteria for referees, or any changes in protocols.

David Coote ended up delivering parcels.

Obviously all those involved on the field of play should have some form of testing or oversight into their lives. They command the game and make decisions that cost clubs, players, owners and huge sponsorships millions of pounds. The current refereeing situation in England is hopeless, the total inconsistency and I’m going to say it, what seems to be cheating at times in a game of football is more than evident. Here’s an example.

Ronald, a Swansea player is most certainly someone who will cheat to gain an advantage. Him and Franco have continually embarrassed our club with these pathetic cheating attempts. We are told that has been addressed. Referees talk and indeed see this, Swans fans have said the same, ’If he and Franco carry on it will affect their game, referees will suspect them of diving’ This is now happening, you can call it what you want but there is an immediate bias in the minds of the officials. That carries itself into the game and decisions go against Swansea City. I’m just using those two as an example. The other decisions made that we have seen of late with these players not involved also cover the Incompetent/Bias/Cheating of the official. If they go into a game with a view that Ronald cheats and then don’t give a foul when it clearly is then what is it ? it’s a clear bias which is cheating.

Obviously the referee isn’t reflecting on their performance or using development tools to improve themselves. Referee Sam Allison went into the Boxing Day game at Coventry and denied the Swans so many free kicks it was even obvious to numerous Coventry fans I have spoken to that he was being influenced by something. The problem for him is it wasn’t just Ronald and Franco, it was penalising players with a yellow card for the away team and exact same fouls going persistently unchecked for the home team. This increases suspicion on this particular incompetent. Although there is absolutely no allegations against him regards Coote and his activities.

And here’s the rub.

Referees in UK football are currently not required to undergo mandatory drug or alcohol tests under the regulations set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) or the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). This stance is adopted globally, not just in the UK.

There’s no checks on anything, it is assumed they are fair people, but look at David Coote, he wasn’t discovered until he blew his own cover. And now today there is still no change of policy, no determination to change what went before and definitely no will to do anyhting about it. The PGMOL are not interested in the frailties within their system and won’t do anything about it. They continue to allow referee’s to go unchecked regards their drug or alcohol intake and most certainly have no intention to do so.

That in itself is a shocker and will leave clubs like Swansea City with proven bias against them with nowhere to turn. For me this is more about covering up misuse of drugs and alcohol or other matters which affect decision making. It is being brushed under the carpet because of they did test every official a powder keg of abuse could be uncovered.

Garry Monk and Steve Cooper consistently made these allegations when in charge at the Swans.

That in itself is cheating the people who support the game - by the people who should be one hundred percent behind uncovering this issue. They are simply too scared to investigate this properly with drug and alcohol testing because the results may well be as embarrassing as it gets for a multi billion pound industry that relies on fairness.

Thats the issue.

Artwork by Swansea Independent. Photograph as stated.