DARREN FERGUSON could be in the FA’s firing line – for saying referees should be shot.
The Doncaster manager blasted “disgusting” standards and fitness among lower-league officials in an outburst that eclipsed any of his dad Alex’s tirades against refs.
Fergie Jr blasted Andy Haines for denying Rovers “the most blatant penalty you’ll ever see” in the last minute of their 1-1 home League One draw with Plymouth.
And asked if he had a solution for what he saw as poor refereeing performances, Ferguson said: “Shoot them – would be a good idea.”
The former Peterborough and Preston chief told BBC Radio Sheffield: “They’re part-time. Their standards are appalling, the fitness levels are a disgrace.
“They’re not good enough. They’re not fit enough. They can’t keep up with play.”
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But some claimed he had gone too far with his comments, serious or not, about shooting.
Cleon @Cleon81 said: “He is right. but it’s the fact it’s him, I can’t help but laugh.. Surely he faces action for saying they should be shot though?”
Ferguson also claimed little is ever done to punish poor decision-making or improve standards.
He said the usual procedure following a cock-up was for officials to send a letter saying sorry – and then to still be given another game to officiate the following weekend.
Asked if he would complain about Haines, Ferguson said: “It doesn’t matter. We’ll get a letter probably next week at some stage. We’ll get an apology.
“So we got a letter after the Oxford game: ‘We apologise that we played an extra minute of injury time and we apologise that we gave a penalty that was clearly outside the box’.
“But the referee who referees that games is refereeing again at the weekend.
“{This time} we’ll get another apology because when they look at it they’ll see it was a blatant foul but they’ll referee again at the weekend.”
Ferguson also claimed Ryan Edwards’ Plymouth leveller was a “clear foul” – and the linesman, as well as the ref, was at fault for the last-gasp penalty decision.
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He said: “It’s the most blatant penalty you’ll ever see. There’s nothing to think about.
“He’s just pulled Andy Butler to the floor. The linesman can see it.. he’s looking right at it.
“And their goal is a clear foul – and the linemsan’s laughing at the end of the game about it. I think it’s disgusting.”
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