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Hanging Judge: I would do it all over again

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Dr Errol Sweeney
Dr Errol Sweeney

On July 25 1993, the world stopped, people were stunned, and pundits, players and spectators were left aghast and shocked. I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since the earth shook because of one man’s dismissal from the field of play.

The occasion was the game between then reigning Premier League champions Manchester United and FA Cup and League Cup winners Arsenal at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

It was a huge game and many referees would have given their right arm to take charge, but I was honoured and gladly accepted.

I remember meeting both managers before the game (Sir Alex Ferguson of United and George Graham of Arsenal) and informing them that, although it was considered a friendly, the laws of the game would apply and I would be using my red and yellow cards when necessary.

I remember being assured by Sir Alex that, should I have any “hassle” from his players, I was to convey that to him on the bench and he would sort it out. Yeah, right. The game wasn’t long on and I already had a problem with Paul Parker, the United fullback.

I beckoned Sir Alex, as he had suggested, and he ignored me.

I then decided that the gloves were off and I was going to apply the laws strictly. I have to say that I’d not refereed a friendly game in my life before. I refereed many unfriendly games, too many to mention. Friendly games have a nasty habit of becoming very unfriendly.

The game was keenly contested by both teams and there were some very big stars on show. I still have the team sheets that were written on separate pieces of paper. Names such as Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson and Dennis Irwin for United; Ian Wright and Ray Parlour for Arsenal.

Everything was going reasonably well. I did eventually yellow card Parker of United for dissent.

Half-time arrived.

The second half started and, midway through, there was an appeal for a penalty from the United players. I turned it down because the ball hit the arm of Parlour and there was no way his hand had moved towards the ball. The ball was cleared and I was running out after the ball when Robson came close to me and said: 

Ref, you’re a f**king cheat.
Bryan Robson

I immediately stopped the game and produced the red card. At that time, foul and abusive language was a straight red card and so I issued the ultimate penalty.

I was criticised by all and sundry. No one could understand why the red card was flashed and, worse still, no one even bothered to consider that it might have been something the player said rather than did.

I was convinced I was in the right and stuck to my guns, so the player had to go off – amid loud protests from his team-mates. Remember that, at the time, he was captain of United and England and, to my knowledge, this was the only time he had been sent off. However, that was not my problem.

A press conference was arranged by the SA Football Association for Robson and I to attend to show there were no hard feelings. I agreed to participate on two conditions – one, I would not apologise and, two, I would not withdraw the red card.

That was agreed and so I turned up on the Wednesday night, but Robson refused to meet me. He later claimed in his book that he was red carded by “some local rugby ref”.

I sent my report to the London Football Association and he missed the first three games of the new season.

My advice to all referees – do what you think is correct at the time and don’t be afraid of the players, regardless of how high-profile they are or what the occasion is. You are not there to be abused by anyone.

Happy whistling!

Follow me on Twitter @dr_errol

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