Crystal Palace

Ian Holloway: 'Give referees microphones'

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 24 March 2013

Ian Holloway believes that football would benefit greatly if referees were provided with microphones like their rugby union counterparts.

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway has admitted that football should take a leaf out of rugby union's book by supplying match officials with microphones.

Currently referees in rugby are provided with a recording device that allows everybody to hear them explain the reasons behind the decisions that they make.

Discussing his viewpoint, 50-year-old Holloway has insisted that a lot of problems would be prevented in football if instant reasoning was given by the referee in charge.

"I watched a lot of rugby union last weekend and one of the things that really impresses me about the game is that the match officials are miked-up," he told The Mirror.

"I accept there is a different culture in rugger when it comes to players talking to referees, but if the football authorities gave our officials microphones it would solve so many problems.

"First of all, there would be concrete evidence of any conversations that take place between the referee, his assistants and the players. But it would also provide a medium for the officials to explain the decisions they have made."

Holloway was recently fined for his criticism of referee Dean Whitestone following Palace's 2-2 draw with Leeds United at Selhurst Park.