Howard Webb hopes to appoint ex-footballers as referees, Peter Crouch says ‘not sure I could do your job’

Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has said that he hopes to bring former players in to become referees as part of a drive to improve standards.

Webb refereed almost 300 Premier League games along with UEFA competitions and international matches, and in 2022 he was appointed to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) as chief refereeing officer.

Webb appeared on BT Sport on Saturday to discuss potential improvements in a bid to raise the standard of refereeing.

“We’ve been doing the rounds, giving transparency, drawing the curtain back on some of the processes, particularly with VAR,” he began.

“We always want to try to improve and raise our standards, and give the officials on the field all the tools that they need to be successful.

“The Premier League’s special, the pace it’s played, and referees allow that with a certain amount of contact.”

Webb discussed future plans to improve the knowledge of current referees, and also to bring new officials through, including former footballers.

He continued: “We’re increasing our coaching group to give our officials more information about the dark arts in the game so we’re able to deal with those as well. We’re looking to bring officials through more quickly.

“We’re looking to entice ex-players into refereeing. We’ve never really been able to do that.”

Peter Crouch, a former Liverpool, Tottenham and England striker, was not convinced the job would appeal to him.

”I’m not sure I do. As much as I respect you, I’m not sure I could do your job,” he admitted.