A-League official Ben Williams wrong to break referees’ code of silence, says retired veteran Donald Campbell

ONE of FIFA’s longest-serving accredited referees says A-League official Ben Williams has set a dangerous precedent by breaking the refs’ code of silence.

James Jeggo (left) of United is given a yellow card by referee Ben Williams (right) during the round 13 A-League match between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United at Pirtek Stadium on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. (AAP Image/Paul Miller) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE

ONE of FIFA’s longest-serving accredited referees says A-League official Ben Williams has set a dangerous precedent by breaking the refs’ code of silence.

Williams has been taken to task by now retired Donald Campbell, who has officiated at numerous NSL grand finals, 118 international matches — including FIFA World Cup and Olympic qualifiers — and was Australian referee of the year from 1985 to 1987.

Adelaide-based Donald Campbell believes Williams broke protocol when speaking to Fox Sports on Friday night specifically about two controversial decisions.

Williams, a FIFA accredited referee, admitted to having had a shocker during the Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers 0-0 draw at Parramatta, where he missed two blatant penalty calls — one for each side.

“I have never heard that (referees explaining their decisions publicly) anywhere in the world,’’ said Campbell who hosts Coast FM’s Talking Football on Sunday mornings.

“I would have thought he would have got some special permission to talk, but I’m led to believe he didn’t get that.

Veteran referee Donald Campbell in action during his last game in charge in 1989. He is a great believer in the refs’ code of silence.

“I think he’s put a big question mark on his career and FIFA may not be impressed.

“Referees have to be united — as long as you’re correct, that’s the main thing.”

Campbell believes referees are in the A-League spotlight a lot more recently because bad decisions have affected the outcomes of matches.

The Football Federation SA Hall of Fame member believes a lack of proper coaching, guidance and mentoring — and a reluctance to listen to older heads — has seen the standard drop despite Football Federation Australia introducing three fulltime pro referees this season.

Campbell intimated that referees were making clouded decisions because they felt intimidated.

“When you see the referees on the TV they look as though they have to be answerable to someone,’’ he said.

“Then a lot of fourth officials are very young boys and girls with little or very little experience, which is a major problem.

“When I was refereeing, we had good men that had vast experience for back up.

“I’m not saying being a young referee is a bad thing but they haven’t got the same sort of experience as a 40-year-old and that can go a long way to settling things down.”

Campbell said he had never been asked for an official opinion on refereeing from SA referees since he retired from coaching last century.

Originally published as A-League official Ben Williams wrong to break referees’ code of silence, says retired veteran Donald Campbell