tribalfooball.com - February 14, 2007
Premiership referees found guilty of swearing at players could find their status under threat, says former FA compliance officer Graham Bean.
Bean believes an official using abusive language in general conversation can be tolerated but aiming it towards players is "unacceptable".
Phil Dowd was accused by Wigan of verbal abuse "in an aggressive and menacing manner" during the defeat by Arsenal at the weekend, actions which would warrant a red card if committed by a player.
"For a referee to use abusive language to a player is totally unacceptable, he is there to control the game," Bean said.
"Players, in the passion of the game, use insulting language not to the referee but as part and parcel of the game. The rules are clear if they swear at an official they will be sent off.
"If the boot is on the other foot and a referee is using abusive language at players, it should be taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly. If proven, action should without doubt be taken immediately against the referee."
Bean, now a football disciplinary consultant, added: "Without a shadow of a doubt there would be serious implication for him."
wonder if Phil Dowd will be punish if really found evidence that he did swear
WIGAN FURY AT REF RAGE
SIX Wigan players have given details of referee Phil Dowd's alleged 'F'-word comments in a dossier to be sent to the Football Association.
Manager Paul Jewell has compiled a report of the foul-mouthed comments from the Staffordshire official in the stormy defeat at Arsenal and it is being delivered to the FA after they decided to charge the boss with improper conduct.
Striker Lee McCulloch claims he was told 'f*** off, you moaning b******' while Ryan Taylor was warned after a second complaint: 'F*** off, who do you think you are talking to?'
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The dossier claims skipper Leighton Baines - later booked for dissent - was on the end of a straight swearing remark as were Matt Jackson, Australian Jospi Skoko and Emmerson Boyce. Other players like Chris Kirkland and Fitz Hall heard the stick.
Wigan want to put the record straight and are also concerned that officials can talk to them like that - but not 'stars' at bigger clubs.
Jewell said: "I will be fighting it all the way. If I just shrug my shoulders at injustice it comes across that I don't care.
"We're living in a democracy, that's why we fought all of those wars, and I don't take things lying down.
"The only regret I have is the refereeing decisions. If we could turn back the clock I think Phil Dowd would change his mind."
Jewell was incensed by Dowd's performance, specifically his refusal to award a penalty when Mathieu Flamini appeared to bring down Emile Heskey when Wigan were 1-0 up, before losing 2-1.