Watford manager Tom Cleverley believes ‘elite referees’ should be in charge of critical Championship games at this stage of the season, after criticising a decision that could cost Leeds United.
On Saturday, the Hornets were defeated 3-2 by Southampton, who scored in the 99th minute despite only seven minutes of extra time. The victory means the Saints may potentially overtake Leeds in third place if they secure maximum points from their two games in hand, putting them within touching distance of Leicester City and Ipswich Town.
While Cleverley admits the outcome will have little bearing on Watford’s season – the Hornets are eight points above the relegation zone with only three games remaining – he believes the ramifications of the big decision at St Mary’s will be costly, and he has called for experienced referees to be used in crucial games.
Watford had rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 before Southampton’s Flynn Downes struck a stunning late winner. The goal stood despite protests for handball, and the fact that it occurred two minutes after the allocated added time enraged Cleverley, who also believed Sekou Mara should have been sent off early in the game for the hosts.
“That is the biggest source of my frustration,” he went on to say. “The red card incident against Ryan Porteous was a real mistake. The fact that the corner was delivered in the 98th minute, after seven minutes had been put on, is concerning.
“It hasn’t had a significant impact on how our campaign finishes, but with hundreds of millions of pounds at stake for Leeds, Ipswich, and Leicester, I believe they could argue that the best referees should be in control of these games.
“I will never, ever go after genuine mistakes. I’m disappointed that the corner was taken. I don’t understand how we got to that point after the 98th minute. The whole situation should never have happened, and I believe you will definitely need someone strong in the game.”
Southampton will now play twice before Leeds play again, first at home against Preston North End tonight and then away to Cardiff City on Saturday. Daniel Farke’s side will have to wait until next Monday night to play Middlesbrough at the Riverside, after which they will go to QPR and play Southampton at Elland Road on the final day.
