Arsene Wenger Critical Of Decision To Switch Kevin Friend Off Tottenham Game

 

Arsene Wenger admits he is surprised and disappointed by the decision to switch referee Kevin Friend off Monday Night Football's crucial clash between Stoke and Tottenham. Friend, who is a Bristol City fan but lives in Leicestershire and has attended Leicester matches with friends, has been replaced by Neil Swarbrick for the match at the Britannia Stadium after his initial appointment attracted criticism from fans on message boards and social media.

Leicester currently lead Spurs by seven points at the top of the Premier League table and a statement from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited on Thursday confirmed the decision to act. The statement read “Given the timing and context of this match, it was felt unnecessary to add extra scrutiny on the refereeing appointment”.

Wenger does not believe it was right to take Friend out of the firing line, he said “I am surprised and disappointed. It questions the integrity of the referee and sets a dangerous precedent.  The solution is you don't look where they come from and who they support, you just pick the best referees. I am not a specialist of judging referees - we have to accept they make more mistakes and give them more support with more technology and treat them as professionals who make decisions which are not based on their emotions”.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino agrees with his Arsenal counterpart and said in his pre-match press conference he was surprised by the change. He says “We never complain and I want to say we trust in all the referees but I think we need to trust. In some point I agree with Arsene. It is important to keep the integrity of the referee and always back the referee. They are human and can make mistakes like us but it is important next time to behave naturally and to show the referee the trust and respect. Then whatever happens in the game, on the pitch we are human and can make mistake and not because something is going on behind