Q&A with referee Alan Kelly on Foot.ie

**Alan Kelly** · 15/05/2004, 8:13 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Yeah was at that was eye opener about the "new" offside rules @ that time.

Question re Assessment of Refs:
- Who assesses the referees? Do referees get promoted for good performances & relegated or suspended for poor performances?

Pete, I think I've answered part of your question above.

Regarding promotion of referees, the FAI began a School of Excellence for young referees a few years ago because of an ageing panel of referees in the EL. Referees graduate from that to Assistant Referee and then Referee in the First Divison. If you are perceived to be good enough you get your chance in the Premier. Then it's up to the referee with his/ her performances to stay there.

In relation to suspending referees, what I will say is that we are answerable for our performances, but not necessarily on one performance. Everybody can have a bad day. If a referee has had a couple of 'off' performances in a short time according to his/her assessments then we have been known to be 'rested' form time to time.

The more younger referees that graduate and perform, the more competition there will be for the 11 games that we have each week. Hopefully we can keep improving as a result.

**Ref** · 15/05/2004, 8:23 PM

the rest of the answers should be up here by monday morning.

**fbtn** · 17/05/2004, 9:46 AM

I know a few thousand Harps fans who would liked to ask Alan a few questions of their own regarding some of his decisions in last years playoffs in Derry.

**Alan Kelly** · 17/05/2004, 5:16 PM

Originally Posted by A face

Another question !!

Are the Referees threatening to strike over the incident at Droghedas United park ?

What are your own opinions on this matter ?

Apologies but I can't discuss any indivdual incident.

**Alan Kelly** · 17/05/2004, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by 4tothefloor

Ask him does he model himself on Hans Frisk (spelling), 'cos he's got the same kinda thing going on there

No I don't. Each referee has his/her own personality and it's Anders Frisk....

**Alan Kelly** · 17/05/2004, 5:21 PM

Originally Posted by davros

If you've ever seen him officiate;What do you think of Hugh Dallas?& what do you think about high-profile refs./games,eg.Premiership,Europe...the standards of their performance?Thanks.

I have seen Hgh officiate on a number of occassions. One of our assistants, Eddie Foley, worked with him on a UEFA Cup Semi Final, Champions League Quarter Final and at the World Cup in France 98.

He also worked with Hugh at Euro 2000. He had been one of Europe's leading referees for the past few years until he reached the European retirement age recently. I think that speaks for itself really.

I think the standards of UEFA's Top Class Referees group have reached new heights over the past number of years.

Having been to UEFA Seminars and seeing how these guys work at their games through discussion groups, match incidents on DVD, fitness levels to name but a few shows whats required to reach that level. Ireland unfortunately doesn't have a referee at this level yet but hopefully that won't be too far away.

With a lot of hard work and dedication, help from the F.A.I. and a little luck along the way, maybe we will see Irish referees in the Champions League and major championships in the not too distant future.

I think the Premiership referees are put under enormous pressure by the media over there. I know a couple of their referees quite well, and my own Mentor on the UEFA Talent Programme (Peter Jones) is a former Premiership referee. Having spoken to them they thoroughly enjoy it even if they are scrutinised more than most.

**Alan Kelly** · 17/05/2004, 5:23 PM

Originally Posted by tiktok

1. Given recent events and the publicity surrounding them, have you ever felt physically threatened at an EL game?
2. Have the media ever asked you to comment on decisions after the game, and if yes, were you happy to oblige?
3. Do you feel financially rewarded for the travelling and time you put in?
4. Do you watch EL weekly? Ever feel like answering critiscism of refs?
5. Are there referees who you particularly admire, and do you find yourself studying them while you watch football games they're involved in?
6. Who was the first person to tell you after the FAI cup final that Longford's second goal was offside? (honestly ref, that's not having a go, it's just that no one at the game, players, officials or commentators seemed to pick up on it, and it was blatant)

1 - I've never felt physically threatened at a game by players. At the end of games all grounds have security people who escort referees off the pitch. I'd like to commend these people for what they do for us. What I would like to see stopped is the encroachment of supporters onto the field of play at the end of games.

It only takes one idiot to something stupid and we have a huge incident as happened a few weeks back. Unfortunately it took that incident to open peoples eyes as to what can happen. Prevention is better than cure.

2 - Yes the media have asked me to comment. At the moment we are not permitted to speak to the media which I hope is something that will be looked at in the near future. I have spoken on one occassion after a game simply because I felt I absolutely had to and it was to two journalists that I have great respect for.

3 - Referees aren't in the game for monetary purposes but yes we do get expenses. You wouldn't believe the time that goes into being an EL referee if i told you. It's not case of just turning up on a Friday night for a game. Some referees train 4 or 5 times a week depending on games. The sacrifice is great. I'm lucky in the fact that I don't have a family but some guys do and that can be difficult.

If you're a referee then you only do one game a weekend. Some of thhe assistant referees have 2 or 3 games a weekend and it can be difficult. Getting time off work and being away from home is not always easy but you are expected to be available no questions asked.

4 - I watch EL weekly religiously. I think the pundits are fair enough to us I have to say. It sometimes gets frustrating when pundits speak on an issue but don't read into it like a referee, but such is life! I hope TV3 could maybe link up with the FAI Referees Department and maybe do a piece on refereeing during EL weekly at some stage. It may let players and fans know a bit more about what we try to do.

5 - We've produced some very good referees in this country. One former referee on the panel, Mr Eamonn Farrell was a huge influence on my career before he passed away 18 months ago. Having been brought up in a refereeing household I also picked up some good and bad habits from my dad Pat.

In Europe the most recognisable referees are Frisk and Collina and in my opinion they are in a League of their own. You can only benefit from looking at and working with those two.

6 - If i'm honest I have to say that I realised it as soon as Shane Barrett had put the ball in the net but wasn't 100% certain. As soon as the game ended my dad told me but you can appreciate it was an extremely unusual circumstance hence nobody picking up on it. Hopefully other efs will learn from my error. It was a shame because it took the gloss off a really proud day for me. If only I had blown full time 20 seconds earlier.

Thanks for the questions.

**Alan Kelly** · 17/05/2004, 5:29 PM

Originally Posted by DAXION

What is the major difference between refereeing an EL match and an officially sanctioned FIFA / UEFA match?

It's a difficult question to answer but a very good one at the same time.

The differences between refereeing in Europe and refereeing at home are very small but important none the less.

At home I mainly referee in the Premier Divison where we only have 10 teams. You tend to come across the teams a few times a season so there is a danger of becoming familiar with players. I would like to think of myself as a referee that has a good understanding of the game and I seem to have a good rapport with players, but when it comes down to it I have a job to do and it's inevitable that I will upset players (and supporters) with decisions I have to make.

In Europe the rapport with players is still there but sometimes there is a language barrier. I speak a little French and know some words of Italian and Spanish.

The pace of the game abroad is a little slower also which allows the referee to get into better positions on the field of play.

Thats just a few things that I can think of off hand. Cheers.

**monutdfc** · 18/05/2004, 8:30 AM

Have to say, his answers are interesting and in some cases enlightening, he obviously put a lot of time and thought into them. Well done!

boynesider · 18/05/2004, 12:11 PM

Thanks Alan for a great insight and a great job by whomever organised it.
See you next time at Utd Park, BTW, are refs empowered to have a spectator
removed from the stadium on the grounds of safety/ incitement to violence ?
If not would you like to ?

**ThatGuy** · 15/03/2006, 3:30 PM

Never noticed this before. Well done lads, a good interview.

**harpskid** · 15/03/2006, 6:06 PM

Next time yer chatting to him, ask him if he now knows the difference in a rolling ball and one that is not moving!

**Block G Raptor** · 15/03/2006, 6:27 PM

Whats it like to be the second worst ref in the world after McKeown

**Sheridan** · 15/03/2006, 6:34 PM

Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

Whats it like to be the second worst ref in the world after McKeown

When did this thread become Q&A with Ian Stokes?

**BohDiddley** · 15/03/2006, 7:08 PM

I would just like to bring to the attention of FIFA, on behalf of Bohs management, players and supporters, that Alan Kelly is probably the sharpest, the fairest, and THE most cool-headed referee in football. Anywhere.
We just love Alan Kelly.
FACT!

**Block G Raptor** · 15/03/2006, 7:11 PM

Originally Posted by BohDiddley

I would just like to bring to the attention of FIFA, on behalf of Bohs management, players and supporters, that Alan Kelly is probably the sharpest, the fairest, and THE most cool-headed referee in football. Anywhere.
We just love Alan Kelly.
FACT!

We've got him next week don't we?