REF WATCH
Simon Mather, 39 is the man in the middle for today’s 12.30pm clash with the Gas.
The Manchester official was appointed to the EFL in 2021 and this season has been ‘card happy’ issuing 36 yellow cards and four reds in just six matches.
In February 2022 Mather drew strong criticism from referee ‘supremo’ Keith Hackett for ruining an FA Cup clash between Wimbledon and Sunderland where he issued
13 yellow cards and a red. Every caution was assessed as being too harsh.
Hackett said of Mather: “ He may not have lost control of the game, but he may have lost control of himself. His refereeing is ineffective.’
‘The yellow card is to be used as a warning. I think that referee needs some advice and some coaching so he can make his future yellow cards more effective.”
Mather was also heavily criticised for disallowing two Torquay Utd goals v Hartlepool in the National League Play-off final at Ashton Gate in 2021.