The Biggest Loser: Friend retains title as Premier League’s worst referee

Kevin Friend is English soccer’s biggest loser again and has retained his title in Red Card The Ref’s poll for worst referee in the English Premier League.

Friend edged out his nearest competitor Mike Dean, 265 to 214 and captured  38 per cent of the vote, after our poll for worst referee closed on Saturday, May 28. A total of 787 votes were cast in the fan poll which was launched at the start of the Premier League season in August.

Martin Atkinson placed third with 71 votes and Mark Clattenburg fourth with 68 votes.

Many thought Dean would win his first worst referee title after his meltdown in a Sept. 20 match at Stamford Bridge between Arsenal and Chelsea. Dean somehow missed Blues striker Diego Costa’s blatant assault on Gunners opponent Laurent Koscielny and took a brief lead in the poll before climbed back into first place later in October.

Friends troubles this season started back in August after enraging Liverpool fans after the controversial sending off of Reds’ Philippe Coutinho in the 52 minute of a 3-0 loss to West Ham. The controversial call led to Friend taking an early lead in our worst referee poll but also led to his Wikipedia page being altered by disgruntled Scousers faithful.

It was a rough season for Friend this year even when he was off the field. In March he was rushed to hospital after hitting his head on the Southampton dugout in the first half of a match at Bournemouth on March 1.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/02/kevin-friend-collapse-bournemouth-southampton-release-hospital

Never far from controversy this season Friend was at the centre of a last-minute refereeing switch because officials were concerned his place of residence, Leicester, which they feared could have effected his decision making in Tottenham’s match against Stoke. Spurs were in a title race with Leicester for most of the season and the discussion brought to the forefront the notion that referees favour certain teams..

It’s the second consecutive dubious award for Friend who also won last year’s title picking up the gauntlet from retired referee Howard Webb, also a two-time winner/loser. Last season won by a landslide, edging Martin Atkinson by 318 to 162 after 927 votes cast.

Kevin Friend is English soccer’s biggest loser and has retained his title in Red Card The Ref’s poll for worst referee in the English Premier League.

Friend edged out his nearest competitor Mike Dean, 265 to 214 and captured  38 per cent of the vote, after our poll for worst referee closed on Saturday, May 28. A total of 787 votes were cast in the fan poll which was launched at the start of the Premier League season in August.

Martin Atkinson placed third with 71 votes and Mark Clattenburg fourth with 68 votes.

Many thought Dean would win his first worst referee title after his meltdown in a Sept. 20 match at Stamford Bridge between Arsenal and Chelsea. Dean somehow missed Blues striker Diego Costa’s blatant assault on Gunners opponent Laurent Koscielny and took a brief lead in the poll before climbed back into first place later in October.

Friends troubles this season started back in August after enraging Liverpool fans after the controversial sending off of Reds’ Philippe Coutinho in the 52 minute of a 3-0 loss to West Ham. The controversial call led to Friend taking an early lead in our worst referee poll but also led to his Wikipedia page being altered by disgruntled Scousers faithful.

It was a rough season for Friend this year even when he was off the field. In March he was rushed to hospital after hitting his head on the Southampton dugout in the first half of a match at Bournemouth on March 1.

Never far from controversy this season Friend was at the centre of a last-minute refereeing switch because officials were concerned his place of residence, Leicester, which they feared could have effected his decision making in Tottenham’s match against Stoke. Spurs were in a title race with Leicester for most of the season and the discussion brought to the forefront the notion that referees favour certain teams..

It’s the second consecutive dubious award for Friend who also won last year’s title picking up the gauntlet from retired referee Howard Webb, also a two-time winner/loser. Last season won by a landslide, edging Martin Atkinson by 318 to 162 after 927 votes cast.