Michael O'Connor: 'More ex-players should go into refereeing'

Michael O’Connor has called for more ex-players to go into refereeing after Notts County were knocked out of the League Two playoffs against Coventry City.

In the first leg at the Ricoh Arena, Matt Tootle was wrongly penalised for a foul on Tom Bayliss which saw Marc McNulty score a late penalty to earn Coventry a 1-1 draw.

And in the return leg at Meadow Lane, Jonathan Forte saw an equaliser wrongly chalked off for offside when the score was 2-1, while Maxime Biamou's third Sky Blues goal was offside.

“Forte was two yards onside, and there were two offsides for their third goal,” Notts captain O'Connor told the Nottingham Post.

“If the goal stands and it’s 2-2, they were gone. They were shot and I think we would have won the game.

“It’s easy looking back now saying this and that, but look at the penalty decision in the first game.

“It’s never a penalty. That’s three big decisions over two legs in a play-off semi-final.

“That’s not good enough. These are meant to be the best referees in the league.

“It’s hard being a referee, I get that. But people’s livelihoods are at stake.

“Do I think the scrutiny on the decision will make a difference next season? No.

“A lot of referees haven’t played the game before and that’s why more players at the end of their careers should officiate. They know the game better.”

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.