Styles to retire?

I don't normally write a note at this time of the week, but I feel compelled to discuss three significant developments in the world of refereeing. The second two are more international, but the first is very close to home.

Following the FA's decision to overturn the red card he gave Habib Beye in Monday night's Newcastle vs Man City game, Rob Styles is reported to be considering retirement. He clearly feels that he has received a lack of support from the FA. He is in 'emotional turmoil' apparently. I have seen no more than a brief replay of Monday night's incident. From what I gather, its not a clearcut decision either way, and perhaps there was sufficient doubt so as not to overturn the decision. But of course this comes on the back of numerous other controversies involving Styles, most recently the penalty he gave at Old Trafford. I think its an accumulation of these incidents that has made him think its time to go. He has received a lot of stick for all these decisions and it must be getting to him. His decisions have filled these notes for some time, and it has to be said that these numerous mistakes do suggest that he is not cut out for refereeing at the top level. That said, I still have misgivings about someone retiring, but if his heart is not in it, then he should step aside and let someone more motivated take his place. I'm not sure he'll be missed, perceived to be arrogant, card-happy and unreliable, but we'll see what happens and whether he actually does retire, as there has been no official confirmation yet, but I expect that now its been announced publicly he will go.

His is not the only retirement reported either. The list of referee candidates for the 2010 World Cup was scaled down to 38 this week, and one notable name is missing from the UEFA section. That name is Lubos Michel, the Slovakian who is arguably the World's best referee. Correction - he arguably was the World's best referee, as he has called it a day. He has been suffering with an achilles tendon injury, and it seems to have got too bad for him, so he has decided to bow out for 'personal and health reasons'. His performances have gone noticeably downhill in the past couple of years (perhaps in part due to the injury), with the highpoint of his career being the 2006 World Cup, when he was in his prime. He finally got the Champions League final he deserved earlier this year, but he still had six or seven years left on the International list, and I still think he could have gone far at the 2010 tournament. Anyway, he is a big loss to the world of refereeing.

Those left on the list includes England's Howard Webb, who I expect will make it to South Africa without any problems. The list contains a mixture of familiar and not so familiar names, and will be whittled down to around 20-25 for the tournament itself. I'm sure the major countries will be represented, and I will report on the list when its confirmed in due course.

Moving on, a busy weekend lies ahead of us, so lets enjoy the action again!