Everton: Disqualify Stuart Attwell over ‘horrendous’ Mason Holgate incident – Martin Samuel.
Martin Samuel believes Stuart Attwell should be disqualified as an elite referee for failing to send out Everton loanee Mason Holgate for a “horrendous” challenge.
On February 24, a Times journalist wrote that the defender’s knee-high tackle on Kaoru Mitoma in Sheffield United’s 5-0 loss to Brighton was “very identifiable in real time” and should not have required a VAR review to dismiss the 27-year-old. The column was published on the paper’s website.
He chastised the official for a troubled history of poor actions after being propelled into the top level at a young age, claiming he didn’t deserve to be there based on current evidence.
Samuel wrote: “Stuart Attwell was on VAR duty at Aston Villa on Saturday, even though it is increasingly clear he has no idea what he is looking at. That Attwell thought Mason Holgate’s challenge in Sheffield United’s match against Brighton & Hove Albion deserved merely a yellow card should disqualify him as an elite referee, at least in the short term.
“Holgate issued a terrifying challenge to Kaoru Mitoma, reckless, high, and deadly, and easily identifiable in real time. It was correctly elevated to a red after further review, but that is not the point. Despite the facts, Attwell has been fast-tracked and promoted his whole career.
“He was 25 when he was rushed into the Premier League, taking command of his first game on August 23, 2008, and within a month had given Reading a ghost goal against Watford, when his assistant informed him that the ball had crossed the line, which it hadn’t. Attwell is now 41 and does not appear to have improved significantly.
Everton loanee sent off in Kaoru Mitoma brawl as Sheffield United hammered by Brighton.
It was difficult to find an explanation for Attwell’s decision in what was widely regarded as one of the worst challenges in the Premier League this season [Sky Sports, 19 February].
Everton fans have had disagreements with the official in recent years, but there have also been other issues at the club.
There should undoubtedly be a better mechanism for demoting and improving referees who make high-profile blunders, since some form of meaningful procedure after making incorrect rulings would help enhance acceptance of what is admittedly a difficult, high-pressure job, rather than simply plowing on anyway.
This season, Holgate’s fortunes have worsened after his failed loan stay at Southampton ended early. His subsequent move to Bramall Lane received negative notice.
However, the three-match punishment he received following the VAR review that saw him sent out wasn’t enough for some, as he was then subjected to racist abuse, which Chris Wilder rightfully called as a “absolutely disgrace” [Sheffield Star, 24 February].
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