Breeze can't ref us! 
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Referees to miss key fixtures
By Ray Gatt
January 31, 2008 THE A-League finals series, already embroiled in controversy over match officials, has suffered another blow with the revelation that Australia's leading referees will be unavailable for two of the biggest games of the season.
FIFA-badged Mark Shield and Matthew Breeze will be missing during one of the most critical stages of the championship because they are required to attend a compulsory course for prospective 2010 World Cup referees, in the Canary Islands, from February 10 to 18.
One or the other will most likely officiate in the return leg of the minor semi-final between Queensland Roar and Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium on February 8, but neither will be available for the second leg of the major semi-final between Central Coast and Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium two days later.
And they won't return in time for the February 17 preliminary final to decide the second team to play in the grand final.
It will be the second time in three weeks that Shield and Breeze, rated the top two whistleblowers in the country, have been forced to miss A-League duties.
They were unavailable for the final round of the season, when four teams were locked on 31 points and chasing the minor premiership and/or a spot in the top two, as they were required to attend an Asian Football Confederation referees' course.
In their absence, Football Federation Australia was forced to use several referees with limited experience for two of the vital matches in round 21.
New Zealand's Michael Hester was called in to take charge of the Jets-Perth match, in which Glory's Nick Rizzo was sent off in the first half in what was regarded a dubious decision. It was only Hester's second match out in the centre this season.
Victorian Kevin Docherty, who had been used as a fourth official a number of times, controlled the Central Coast-Wellington match, his only appearance with the whistle this season.
FFA's reliance on Shield and Breeze during the play-offs is best illustrated by the fact that, between them, they have been in charge of 10 of the 14 finals matches played in the three seasons of the A-League.
Shield is in line to control his third grand final in succession, while Breeze has had charge of the only two preliminary finals to date.
The news of Shield and Breeze being absent for a portion of the play-offs comes a day after the Mariners revealed plans to discuss with FFA issues arising from last week's controversial 2-0 loss to Newcastle - and their poor record under Breeze.
The Mariners have not won a game in their last eight while Breeze has been in control, and they have an overall record of two wins in 12 matches under him. The club's record with Shield in charge is only marginally better - four wins in 16 matches.
It will be interesting to see who will be appointed to the Mariners-Jets match.
Peter Green, who has refereed in 15 of the 21 regular season games, third most behind Shield and Breeze, and has had some A-League finals experience logically would be next in line. That would not bother the Mariners as Central Coast have won four and drawn one of their past five matches under him.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23135438-5000940,00.html
verhead: verhead: verhead: verhead: verhead: verhead: verhead: verhead: verhead:Referees to miss key fixtures
By Ray Gatt
January 31, 2008 THE A-League finals series, already embroiled in controversy over match officials, has suffered another blow with the revelation that Australia's leading referees will be unavailable for two of the biggest games of the season.
FIFA-badged Mark Shield and Matthew Breeze will be missing during one of the most critical stages of the championship because they are required to attend a compulsory course for prospective 2010 World Cup referees, in the Canary Islands, from February 10 to 18.
One or the other will most likely officiate in the return leg of the minor semi-final between Queensland Roar and Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium on February 8, but neither will be available for the second leg of the major semi-final between Central Coast and Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium two days later.
And they won't return in time for the February 17 preliminary final to decide the second team to play in the grand final.
It will be the second time in three weeks that Shield and Breeze, rated the top two whistleblowers in the country, have been forced to miss A-League duties.
They were unavailable for the final round of the season, when four teams were locked on 31 points and chasing the minor premiership and/or a spot in the top two, as they were required to attend an Asian Football Confederation referees' course.
In their absence, Football Federation Australia was forced to use several referees with limited experience for two of the vital matches in round 21.
New Zealand's Michael Hester was called in to take charge of the Jets-Perth match, in which Glory's Nick Rizzo was sent off in the first half in what was regarded a dubious decision. It was only Hester's second match out in the centre this season.
Victorian Kevin Docherty, who had been used as a fourth official a number of times, controlled the Central Coast-Wellington match, his only appearance with the whistle this season.
FFA's reliance on Shield and Breeze during the play-offs is best illustrated by the fact that, between them, they have been in charge of 10 of the 14 finals matches played in the three seasons of the A-League.
Shield is in line to control his third grand final in succession, while Breeze has had charge of the only two preliminary finals to date.
The news of Shield and Breeze being absent for a portion of the play-offs comes a day after the Mariners revealed plans to discuss with FFA issues arising from last week's controversial 2-0 loss to Newcastle - and their poor record under Breeze.
The Mariners have not won a game in their last eight while Breeze has been in control, and they have an overall record of two wins in 12 matches under him. The club's record with Shield in charge is only marginally better - four wins in 16 matches.
It will be interesting to see who will be appointed to the Mariners-Jets match.
Peter Green, who has refereed in 15 of the 21 regular season games, third most behind Shield and Breeze, and has had some A-League finals experience logically would be next in line. That would not bother the Mariners as Central Coast have won four and drawn one of their past five matches under him.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23135438-5000940,00.html
